• 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 22^nd 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 8^th September, 2020 India had tested 5 Crores COVID-19 samples, and in less than 50 days it has reached 10 crores mark on 23^rd 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.

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.

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Indian Council of Medical Research [ICMR], the apex body at forefront of formulating COVID-19 testing strategy in India has crossed 6 crores testing mark on 16^th September 2020. With average testing of more than 10 lakhs per day in the last 20 days, India has tested 6,05,65,728 samples across the country till 16^th September 2020. As on Wednesday, 11,36,613 sample testing was done in a single day.

India has conducted the last two crores sample testing in only 20 days. As on 28^th August, 2020 India had tested 4,04,066,09 COVID-19 samples, which crossed 6 crores mark on 16^th September, 2020. This has been enabled by rapidly increasing testing infrastructure and capacity across the country, the total number of diagnostic labs has reached 1751. Of which dedicated government laboratories are 1059 and private laboratories number stands at 692.

ICMR has successfully responded to the evolving epidemic through focused and collaborative efforts of the Centre, State/UT government. India has been aggressively implementing Testing, Tracking & Treating strategy efficiently across the country. Recently, an increasing number of cases has been reported from states of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Naidu. ICMR is enhancing testing capacity in these states.

ICMR has been regularly assessing the situation and responding by revising testing strategy. In its latest advisory on COVID-19 testing strategy ‘Testing on Demand’ for individuals has been allowed. The State/UT governments have been allowed to simplify the modalities to facilitate testing on demand.

About ICMR: For more information, please visit https://www.icmr.gov.in/

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