India crosses 6 crores Covid-19 sample testing

New Delhi: As per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the apex body at forefront of formulating the COVID-19 testing strategy, India has crossed 6 crores testing mark on 16th 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 16th September. 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 of 28th August 2020, India had tested 4,04,066,09 COVID-19 samples, which crossed 6 crores mark on 16th 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.