Testing numbers should be more in West Bengal: NICED Director

Apr 20, 2020

Kolkata, Apr 20 (ANI): While speaking to ANI, Director of National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NICED). Dr Shanta Dutta said that West Bengal has received maximum number of testing kits which is 12,500 and rapid test will start soon in the state. Dr Shanta said, “Since beginning, we have received 42,500 test kits. So far, we have distributed the kits to West Bengal, Odisha, Andaman and Nicobar Islands. West Bengal has received maximum number of kits which is 12,500 including us. There was never any dearth of kits.” Being asked if number of tests in West Bengal sufficient, she said, “I don’t think so if you compare the population density of our state, then the numbers should have been more. Initially we were lucky that we did not have many cases and the government testing centers were not ready. Now, we have trained staff of the government testing centers and in almost 6 medical colleges including private ones, the tests are being carried out. So far, whatever tests had been done in Bengal was not up to the mark but of course we can gear up.” On rapid testing in West Bengal, Dr Shanta said, “Rapid test kit is actually the kit that has been sent by ICMR to the state government. They will start testing using the rapid diagnostic kit. It will be useful in the sense that it will cover quite large number of samples. It requires only 15-20 minutes and you need not draw the blood, only pin prick of the blood is sufficient enough. If tested positive then the samples will again be tested in laboratory.”