Govt To Return Faulty Rapid Antibody Testing Kits: Dr Harsh Vardhan

NEW DELHI, 25 APRIL 2020:

 

Faulty rapid antibody testing kits will be returned to the respective countries, whether it is China or any other nation, health minister Harsh Vardhan said while addressing state health ministers.

 

“Faulty antibody testing kits will be returned if they don't work properly, whether they belong to China or any other country. We have not paid for the kits yet,” Vardhan said during the video conference meeting to review measures on COVID-19.

 

“The results of the test vary from place to place and it can’t be relied upon. Moreover, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has also not commented on its accuracy. The ICMR is reviewing the efficacy of the test and the kits in its own labs and shall come out with fresh guidelines soon,” Vardhan said.

 

The meeting was attended by representatives from various states including from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal.

 

"Wherever there is a need, we have also sent our senior officers to support you, they are not sent as monitors. They are there for hand-holding and cooperation so we get feedback on how to further extend help," Vardhan said.

 

"Almost three and a half months have passed while fighting against Covid-19. All states are doing well. India is the only country in the world that has reported fewer cases among all other countries," he added.

 

While urging all states to ensure social distancing and spread awareness about personal hygiene to combat COVID-19, Vardhan said Uttar Pradesh has implemented the lockdown efficiently and advised other states to emulate it.

 

“We should follow the Lockdown 2.0 in letter and spirit as was done earlier,” Vardhan said, warning states against a relaxed approach during lockdown.

 

India's coronavirus case count has reached 23,077, with 1,684 more Covid-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, as per the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Friday.

 

Out of these, 17,610 patients are active cases and 4,749 cases have been cured or discharged registering a recovery rate of 20.5%. As many as 718 deaths have been reported till Friday. ET Healthword