At present, the government and private hospitals are conducting three
kinds of testing for COVID-19: Real-Time RT PCR, TrueNat Test, and
CB NAAT Test
So far, Indian hospitals/labs have done 391 Real-Time RT PCR for coronavirus, which includes 277 in government institutes, and 114 in private institutes
Mansi Jaswal
May 11, 2020,
Updated May 11, 2020, 10:48 AM IST
The Indian Council of Medical Research has updated a list of laboratories that are conducting coronavirus tests. There are as many as 345 government labs and 131 private labs that are doing coronavirus testing in the country.
At present, the government and private hospitals are conducting three kinds of testing for COVID-19: Real-Time RT PCR, TrueNat Test, and CBNAAT Test.
Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR is a nucleic acid-based test that is the most sensitive in early detection of infection. In this test, healthcare staff collects a sample by swabbing the nasal passage or throat.
TrueNat Test is generally used to detect tuberculosis. In TrueNat test doctors take sputum samples of patients.
Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CB-NAAT)- diagnostic machines are used to test drug-resistant tuberculosis. Use of CB NAAT is part of ICMR's larger plan to have options for testing if coronavirus outbreak peaks in India further.
So far, Indian hospitals/labs have done 391 Real-Time RT PCR for coronavirus, which includes 277 in government institutes, and 114 in private institutes.
A total of 55 TrueNat Test (Government: 53 plus Private: 02) were conducted, so far. As many as 30 CBNAAT tests were done, that is 15 each in government and private hospitals.