State has spent around ₹480 cr. on RT-PCR kits

Tamil Nadu has up to now spent roughly ₹480 crore on procuring RT-PCR testing kits for COVID-19. It has positioned direct orders for 1,09,03,428 testing kits by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC).

Since the start of the pandemic, the State has been relying solely on RT-PCR checks for the prognosis of COVID-19.

Gold commonplace

Officials have maintained that RT-PCR checks are the gold commonplace for COVID-19 testing and as a coverage, had determined towards the usage of fast antigen diagnostic checks. As a outcome, Tamil Nadu has accomplished 100% testing by RT-PCR kits.

Till date, a complete of 1,58,60,674 samples have been examined by the tactic. The whole variety of individuals coated up to now stands at 1,55,49,828.

These have been accomplished by authorities laboratory checks, authorities free take a look at samples despatched to personal laboratories and paid checks by people in personal laboratories.

“Around ₹480 crore has been spent on testing kits till now. We have procured only USFDA/CE-IVD-approved RT-PCR kits to ensure quality testing at government laboratories. We are importing kits from the U.S. and South Korea,” an official stated.

TNMSC officers stated up to now, the State authorities, by TNMSC, had positioned direct orders for 1,09,03,428 testing kits, of which 1,02,59,428 had been provided as of January 27.

The Centre had provided 2,78,256 kits as one-time provide within the preliminary three months of the pandemic, whereas 63,516 have been obtained as donations from personal corporations. With this, TNMSC has obtained a complete of 1,06,01,200 kits.

Balance inventory

It launched 98,49,472 kits to the sector, and has a steadiness inventory of seven,51,728. At the sector degree, 9,78,064 kits can be found.

Officials added that as on date, 17,29,792 kits have been obtainable with TNMSC and on the sector.

“This is approximately a six weeks’ requirement as per the current testing trends in government institutions,” the official stated.

An authority at a authorities medical school hospital stated take a look at kits have been freely obtainable and provided prematurely based mostly on earlier month’s utilisation.