ICMR data indicates Covid testing declines across states and UTs: Centre

The health ministry has written to the states and union territories highlighting there has been a decline in Covid-19 testing. It has reminded the states that the basic objective of testing is early detection of cases for quick isolation and care.

The letter to the states by Centre said: "Testing remains a key and crucial component of the framework. However, it is seen from the data available on the ICMR portal that testing has declined in many states and union territories. Please note that in all advisories on testing issued by ICMR



has the basic objective of early detection of cases for quick isolation and care."

The letter, written by the additional health secretary, mentioned: "This advisory needs to be read in conjunction with the earlier guidelines and advisories of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, wherein it has been recommended that strategic and focused testing should he done of people who are vulnerable, living in closed surroundings, in densely populated areas in emerging new dusters & new hot spots of punitive cases etc."