COVID-19: Neuberg diagnostics gets ICMR nod for Corona tests

New Delhi: Neuberg Diagnostics, a startup in the pathology laboratory chain segment, has announced the commencement of COVID testing in its Neuberg Ehrlich Laboratory, Chennai post the approval from Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). Neuberg is the only Lab Chain in India, whose 4 facilities have been approved by ICMR and will offer COVID – 19 RT PCR tests through its laboratory in Ahmedabad (Neuberg Supratech), Bangalore (Neuberg Anand), Chennai (Neuberg Ehrlich) and Pune (Neuberg AG).

Commenting on the development, Dr GSK Velu, Chairman & Managing Director, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited said “COVID-19 has been declared a global emergency by the World Health Organization, as the outbreak continues to spread beyond China. India is currently between Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the disease spread. The Government of India is taking the right measures to curtail its spread. Neuberg is happy to support its efforts towards testing of a symptomatic individual currently and later asymptomatic individuals, as it may be required to augment the travel ban, identify individuals with the infection, isolate them so that the virus can be curtailed.”

“We have also set up a special support fund for the weaker sections of the society. Through this we will offer free of cost testing to people with a BPL ration card and appropriate doctor prescriptions,” added Velu.

Neuberg will be scaling up its capacity up to 2000 to 2500 tests per day as per ICMR guidelines by next week.

Dr Saranya Narayan, Technical Director & Chief Microbiologist, Neuberg Diagnostics Private Limited said, “Neuberg Ehrlich Laboratory, Chennai has started collecting COVID samples from the lab as well as home from 8 am to 4 pm. The mandatory requirement is the Identity and Address proof, Requisition/Prescription from Physician with their Medical registration number. Neuberg will provide reports within 24 hours in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune and within 48 hours from other cities subject to uninterrupted courier movements.”

“Reporting and sample acceptance will be strictly in accordance with the ICMR guidelines and will follow ICMR prescribed MRP of INR 4500,” she added.

Home pick will also be done through PPE equipped phlebotomists in these four cities.

The COVID-19 testing in Neuberg’s labs will follow guidelines by ICMR and other competent government agencies. COVID–19 samples from hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare providers can be tested in the labs.  People who fall under the testing criteria set by ICMR can get themselves tested at Neuberg’s labs, but they need to contact the lab before visiting to ensure minimal risk of community spread and need to call on 04448505050 and 8939999215 (between 8 am and 8 pm).If the patient has no travel history but is in the hospital with symptoms of respiratory illness like pneumonia, she or he can also be tested.

As per the guidelines issued by ICMR for COVID-19 testing in private laboratories, Neuberg will provide the test to an individual only when prescribed by a qualified physician, while also adhering to the sample collection and testing guidelines set by ICMR. All COVID-19 positive samples will be transported to ICMR-NIV (National Institute of Virology), Pune under suitable Biosafety and Biosecurity precautions as laid down by ICMR.