Govt to Introduce 'On-demand' COVID Testing - What does it Mean?

The Union Health Ministry recently updated its advisory on COVID-19 testing strategy. It has now introduced on- demand testing without a prescription but state authorities will be having the right to modify the modules. 

"A totally new section has been added in the Advisory on “Testing on Demand" which for all practical purposes does away with prescription by a registered medical practitioner although state governments have the freedom to decide on simplified modalities," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

The advisory has explained how on demand testing works in various settings in detail. 

According to the advisory, the on-demand testing facility can be availed by:

-All individuals undertaking travel to countries/Indian states mandating a negative COVID-19 test at point of entry.

-All individuals who wish to get themselves tested.

Tracking and contact tracing mechanisms are also supposed to be taken care of by the testing laboratories who will have to notify the public health authorities who are in- charge. 

The health ministry also mentioned about the frequency of the novel coronavirus testing. It mentioned that a single RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT positive test is to be considered confirmatory, without any repeat testing.

Re-testing is not recommended before the discharge of patient from COVID-19 facility pot recovery. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) too had updated their COVID-19 testing strategy guidelines regarding on- demand facilities. ICMR recommended 100 percent of people living in containment zones will have to be tested via rapid antigen tests and this measure is especially supposed to be taken in places where the transmission of the infection is high. 

“Ideally, it is suggested that 100% of people living in the containment zones should be tested by RAT particularly in cities where there has been a widespread transmission of the infection," say ICMR guidelines.

“It also stressed that no emergency procedure (including deliveries) should be delayed for lack of tests, and pregnant women should not be referred for a lack of testing facility,” Livemint reported.