India achieves the milestone of 10 crores COVID-19 sample testing.
- Last 5 crores sample testing was achieved in a record time of 45 days.
- Number of Covid-19 testing laboratories reaching 2000.
Indian Council of Medical Research [ICMR], the apex body at the forefront of formulating COVID-19 testing strategy in India has achieved milestone of conducting 10 crores testing on 22nd October 2020. With average testing of more than 10 lakhs per day in last 17 days. Till now, 74000 tests per million population have been conducted.
India has conducted last five crores sample testing in only 45 days. As on 8th September, 2020 India had tested 5 Crores COVID-19 samples, and in less than 50 days it has reached 10 crores mark on 23rd October, 2020. This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country. 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.
| Exponential rise in Covid-19 Samples Testing | |
| Testing in Crores | Date |
| 10 Crores | 22nd Oct 2020 |
| 9 Crores | 13th Oct 2020 |
| 8 Crores | 5th Oct 2020 |
| 7 Crores | 25th Sept 2020 |
| 6 Crores | 16th Sept 2020 |
| 5 Crores | 7th Sept 2020 |
| 4 Crores | 28th Aug 2020 |
| 3 Crores | 16th Aug 2020 |
| 2 Crores | 2nd Aug 2020 |
| 1 Crores | 6th July 2020 |
Prof (Dr.)Balram Bhargava, Director General, ICMR said, “We have effectively responded to the evolving epidemic through focused and collaborative efforts of the Centre, State/UTs government. Exponential increase in testing has led to early identification, prompt isolation & effective treatment of Covid-19 cases along with effective contact tracing. These have eventually resulted in a sustained low fatality rate.This testing milestone is testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing strategy of 5T approach “Test, Track, Trace, Treat and use of Technology” efficiently, which will enable us to contain the spread of the pandemic.’’
Ramping up of testing facility across India was at the core of increased testing per day. Through our ardent efforts, it was ensured that a specific testing platform is made available addressing general testing (RT-PCR), High-throughput testing (COBAS), testing at remotest places and PHCs (TrueNAT, CBNAAT), in containment areas (rapid antigen testing) and for large number & migrant population testing (pooled sample testing). The total number of diagnostic laboratory has reach 1989. Of which dedicated government laboratories are 1122 and private laboratories number stands at 867.
