The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) conducted random sample tests for the COVID-19, especially of the Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) patients.
The random sampling tests of SARI patients for the COVID-19 is a surveillance to check the extent of the transmission of the virus .
The tests were conducted during the period of 15th February to the 29th of March. The increasing number of the Coronavirus infections and the ICMR tests identifying 104 SARI patients, to be Coronavirus positive, hinted at community transmission in India. However, an official report whether India is at the community transmission stage of the Coronavirus spread, is yet to be released.
According to the data published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMC) by the ICMR, they tested 5,911 SARI patients for COVID-19. Out of the total, 104 patients tested positive in 52 districts of 20 states and all union territories.
According to sources, 39.2 % of 104, which is equal to 40 cases did not have any travel history or connection with a foreign traveller.
Out of all 20 states, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Kerala have the highest number of SARI patients who are also COVID-19 positive.
Gujarat: 792 SARI patients tested, 13 cases (1.6%) found to be positive for Covid-19.
Tamil Nadu: 577 SARI patients tested, 5 cases (0.9%) found to be positive for Covid-19.
Maharashtra: 553 SARI patients tested, 21 cases (3.8%) found to be positive for Covid-19.
Kerala: 502 SARI patients tested, 1 case (0.2% ) found to be positive for Covid-19
The ICMR report said, “These districts need to be prioritised to target Covid-19 containment activities. Only two cases ( 2% of those tested positive) reported contact with a confirmed case, one case ( 1% of those tested positive) reported recent international travel and, for about 59 such cases (57.8 %,) exposure history was not available.” It further added, “COVID-19 containment activities need to be targeted in districts reporting COVID-19 cases among SARI patients. Intensifying surveillance for COVID-19 among SARI patients may be an efficient tool to effectively use resources towards containment and mitigation efforts.”
Meanwhile, India reported a total of 6,820 COVID-19 cases till date. Out of the total number 5,950 are active cases, 641 recovered and 225 deaths reported.
Stay tuned for further updates.
