Government approves 12 private labs for COVID-19 tests

As many as 12 private diagnostic chains across six states have got approval from the government to test coronavirus (COVID-19) samples, union ministry of health and family welfare said on Monday.

From the 12 approved laboratories, five are in Maharashtra, which has the highest number of COVID-19 cases. Remaining facilities are spread across Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

It is not necessary for the testing kits to have the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, as the government seeks to encourage India-made testing kits.

“We have registered 12 private labs which have over 15,000 collection centres. As far as the testing kits are concerned, we are also approving the indigenous kits on a fast track basis so that the tests can be done quickly and we can detect positive persons. We are also accepting the kits approved by the National Institute of Virology,” said Balram Bhargava, Director General at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The government may extend the lock down to few more states from tomorrow since many people are not abiding by the rules.

Indian citizens, who are in transit at London and Kuala Lumpur, will return home soon.

“The stranded passengers in Kuala Lumpur will be returning to India by an Air Asia flight by 9 PM today,” said Ravi.

As the National Task Force for COVID-19, set up by the ICMR, on Monday recommended the use of hydroxychloroquine for treatment of high-risk patients. The procedure was also approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for "restricted use in emergency situations".

Clarifying the usage of hydroxychloroquine in management of covid-19 patients, Bhargav said, “Hydroxychloroquine is only meant to be used by a healthcare professional who is treating a COVID-19 patient. Also, only for persons who are staying and caring for a covid-19 patient in the household. Only these people can take Hydroxychloroquine but only for prevention and prophylaxis, adding that there is no shortage of the item and there are enough stocks in the country.