Goa starts in-patient testing for COVID amid spike in cases

The Goa government on Friday (April 7) resumed in-patient testing for COVID-19 at state-run hospitals using antigen testing kits in view of rising cases.

Goa on Thursday recorded 162 new cases of coronavirus infection, taking the active tally in the coastal state to 872.

Health Minister Vishwajit Rane said, “I have directed the team at @GoaGmc to activate the genome sequencing machine on the premises, and the Secretary for Health has been notified.

“We have also begun in-patient testing at government hospitals using antigen testing to keep the situation under control.”

Rane said RT-PCR tests were being conducted where necessary and genome sequencing was performed in accordance with protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

Central directive

An emergency vaccination requirement was also provided, he said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has told states to stay alert and be prepared for COVID-19 management.

He stressed on identifying emergency hotspots by monitoring trends of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases, and ramping up testing and vaccination.

The minister also called for reading the hospital infrastructure.

Rane said the Goa government will conduct mock drills of hospital infrastructure on April 10 and 11 as per a Central government directive to review preparedness.

(With agency inputs)