ICMR data : India surpasses the 10 crore Covid-19 testing mark

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) revealed the landmark of 10 crore figure for Covid-19 testing has been completed on Thursday, amounting to nearly 10 lakh samples daily in the last 17 days. The present record confirms 74,000 tests per million population were conducted.

Lokesh Sharma, scientist and media coordinator at ICMR stated India has completed the 5 crore testing mark in the last 4 days. As per Lokesh, the 5 crore mark was attained by September 8, and before 50 days, another 5 crore testing mark is completed.

The ICMR officially stated, “This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country. The ICMR has been enhancing Covid-19 testing capability across the country by expanding and diversifying testing capacity by leveraging technology and facilitating innovation in affordable diagnostic kits.”

Balram Bhargava, Director General at ICMR said that they have effectively responded to the evolving epidemic through focused and collaborative efforts of the Centre, state and UT governments. He said “Exponential increase in testing has led to early identification, prompt isolation and effective treatment of Covid-19 cases along with effective contact tracing. These have eventually resulted in a sustained low fatality rate.”

Bhargava further added, “This testing milestone is testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing strategy of the 5T approach ‘Test, Track, Trace, Treat and use of Technology efficiently, which will enable us to contain the spread of the pandemic.”

Bhargava further emphasized on the availability of the specific testing platform available indicating at general testing (RT-PCR), High through-put testing (COBAS), testing in remote areas and PHCs and for the migrant population.

The overall count of diagnostic laboratories has reached to 1,989, which includes 867 private laboratories and 1,122 government ones.