Karnataka govt directs all TB patients to tested for Covid-19

Photo Credits: REUTERS

The Coronavirus global emergency has hit the most strategic interventions associated to tuberculosis programmes which has given the outcome of 35 % decrease in TB cases notification in 2020 as compared to the records of Karnataka of the previous year.

Tuberculosis is a serious condition which may cause mortality and morbidity significantly. It is an essential risk factor for Covid-19 infection and may rapidly cause severity. It is crucial to address the dual morbidity and fatality with respect to TB and Covid-19.

The Karnataka government, thereby, passed an order on September 24, directing all the recently diagnosed TB patients and with ongoing treatment be tested for Covid-19 with RT-PCR/ True-Nat/ CBNAAT.

Alongside, all the Covid-19 patients to be screened for TB when the symptoms last for more than 10 days. Enforcing the guidelines will be quite effective in terms of tackling the dual morbidity.