• 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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New Delhi 8th September 2020: Indian Council of Medical Research [ICMR], the apex body at forefront of formulating COVID-19 testing strategy in India has crossed 5 crores testing mark on 7^th September 2020. With average testing of more than 10 lakhs per day, India has tested 5,06,50,128 samples across the country till 7^th September 2020. The last one crores sample testing was achieved in only 10 days.

Rapidly increasing testing samples was made possible as daily testing average had been on a continuous rise from around 7 lakh tests being conducted per day in the 3rd week of August to more than 10 lakh tests per day in the 1st week of September. Which was achieved because of ramped up COVID-19 specific diagnostic labs across India with active support of Central and State/UT governments.

ICMR has effectively responded to the evolving epidemic through focused and collaborative efforts of the Centre, State/UT government. Recently India achieved milestone of conducting 10 lakhs tests per day. These milestones are testimony to the fact that India has been successful in implementing Testing, Tracking & Treating strategy efficiently, which will enable us to contain the pandemic.

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

The existing recommendations related to testing for COVID-19 have been extended, elaborated and divided into four parts – routine surveillance in containment zones and screening at points of entry, routine surveillance in non-containment areas, hospital settings and testing on demand – and choice of test (RT-PCR, TrueNat or CBNAAT and rapid antigen tests) in order of the priority.

India has been ramping up the testing facility across the country. The total number Covid-19 specific testing laboratories count has reach 1668. Of which dedicated government laboratories are 1035 and private laboratories number stands at 633.

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

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