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Tag: RT-PCR

  • COVID-19: Frequent travellers rue ‘costly’ RT-PCR mandate as new restrictions kick in Kerala

    Express News Service
    KOCHI: The authorities’s transfer to make RT-PCR testing obligatory for all home travellers getting into Kerala has come as an inconvenience to those that have to maneuver out and in of the state ceaselessly. 

    Specifically, it’s the price – Rs 1,700 per RT-PCR check – that’s proving to be an unaffordable proposition and a significant problem for them.

    The check of the fee is greater in Kerala than a number of different states, together with Karnataka (Rs 800) and Maharashtra and Telangana (Rs 500 every). 

    Many have demanded a discount in RT-PCR charges as extra checks are being carried out recently, and in addition extra readability on its validity with regard to frequent travellers.

    Sumesh G, a small-scale businessman in Kochi who makes frequent enterprise journeys to Karnataka, Delhi and different states, has spent Rs 5,100 on RT-PCR checks alone previously two weeks.

    “All the states are making RT-PCR tests mandatory before entering their borders. During the pandemic, which has burdened people financially, paying such a hefty amount per month for testing is not feasible. My wife’s parents are at her brother’s place in Chennai. If we visit them, the cost of testing me, my wife and our two sons who are aged above 18 would come to Rs 6,800,” mentioned Sumesh.

    As per the brand new order, all home travellers, no matter vaccination standing, must take RT-PCR check 48 hours previous to getting into the state or instantly after reaching Kerala.

    “At least those who took the first dose of vaccine should be exempted. Though the steps have been taken to restrict travel and curb the spread of the virus, the economic aspect cannot be ignored. Many other states have slashed the rates and the cost of the test is quite low compared to Kerala,” mentioned Jerin P, a techie working in Bengaluru and a Kerala native. 

    RT-PCR charges have been elevated from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,700 in February. Other checks, together with XpertNat, TrueNat and fast antigen price Rs 2,500, Rs 1,500 and Rs 300 respectively. 

    “So far, no decision has been taken on slashing the cost of RT-PCR test. If it is an issue, necessary measures will soon be taken by the health department to make it affordable,” mentioned a well being official with the Covid-19 job power in Kerala. 

    Meanwhile, individuals coming to Kerala, together with these arriving at Walayar checkpost, with out RT-PCR check outcomes and registering on the Covid Jagratha portal on Monday have been knowledgeable concerning the new directives and requested to take the check instantly because it was the primary day of the brand new order coming into impact.

    STATE TO GO AHEAD WITH SSLC, PLUS-TWO EXAMST’Puram: Despite the surge in Covid instances, the state will go forward with the continuing SSLC and Plus-Two examinations.

    The Director of General Education Ok Jeevan Babu has issued a set of directions for strict implementation of Covid protocol in examination centres throughout the state.

    Temperature checks utilizing infrared thermometers earlier than entry into examination centres and making triple-layer masks obligatory for instructing and non-teaching workers, and if attainable, for candidates as effectively are among the many precautions to be taken.

    Babu mentioned micro-plans shall be devised in school stage for efficient implementation of Covid protocol. Covid constructive candidates, these below quarantine and people having excessive physique temperature, shall be seated individually.

    All head masters have been instructed to make sure satisfactory transportation association for college students in addition to academics.

    A particular workforce shall be deployed at colleges to observe the state of affairs in case college students or academics present any signs of the an infection.

    The workforce includes well being employees, NGOs and academics. As a part of Covid protocol, solely two college students are being seated in a single bench.

    The reply scripts of Covid constructive college students shall be collected individually and despatched to valuation centres.

    While the SSLC examinations will finish on April 29, the Plus-Two and VHSE examinations will conclude on April 26.

    The examinations have been scheduled to be held from March 17 however have been postponed to the second week of April in view of the meeting elections.

  • MHA new Covid tips: States requested to extend testing, velocity up vaccination

    Amid a spike in Covid-19 circumstances in some elements of the nation, the MHA has issued a set of tips to restrict the unfold of coronavirus. The tips, which will probably be efficient from April 1, have requested states and Union Territories to implement the ‘test-track-treat’ protocol and laid down containment measures.
    The Hime ministry has additionally mentioned governments ought to take all mandatory measures to advertise Covid-appropriate behaviour in workplaces and in public, particularly in crowded locations.

    MHA Guidelines for efficient management of COVID-19.
    States/ UTs mandated to strictly implement Test-Track-Treat protocol, Containment measures,COVID-Appropriate conduct and SOPs on numerous actions.
    Press release-https://t.co/adAcSXw3rx
    — Spokesperson, Ministry of Home Affairs (@PIBHomeAffairs) March 23, 2021
    The tips acknowledged, “States and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, at district/ sub-district and city/ ward level, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19… All activities have been permitted outside Containment Zones and SOPs have been prescribed for various activities. These include: movement by passenger trains; air travel; metro trains; schools; higher educational institutions; hotels and restaurants; shopping malls, multiplexes and entertainment parks; yoga centres and gymnasiums; exhibitions, assemblies and congregations.”
    Emphasizing the necessity to velocity up testing, the MHA additional acknowledged, “States and UTs, where the proportion of RT-PCR tests is less, should rapidly increase it, to reach the prescribed level of 70 percent or more. The new positive cases, detected as a result of intensive testing, need to be isolated/ quarantined at the earliestand provided timely treatment. Further as per the protocol, their contacts have to be traced at the earliest, and similarly isolated/ quarantined. Based on the positive cases and tracking of their contacts, Containment Zones shall be carefully demarcated by the district authorities, at the micro level, taking into consideration the guidelines prescribed by the MoHFWin this regard.”

    It added, “The SOPs, as updated from time to time, shall be strictly enforced by the authorities concerned, who shall be responsible for their strict observance.”

    The authorities, nonetheless, acknowledged there will probably be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state motion of individuals and items, together with these for cross land-border commerce beneath treaties with neighbouring nations. “No separate permission/ approval/ e-permit will be required for such movements,” it mentioned.

    The authorities has determined that everyone above 45 years of age will probably be eligible for vaccination from April 1. Announcing this, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday mentioned, “We request that all eligible should immediately register and get vaccinated.”
    So far, solely individuals above 60 years of age and people within the age group of 45-60 with co-morbidities have been eligible for vaccination.

  • By air, sea or street, travellers face Covid hurdles

    Express News Service
    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People of the state as soon as once more stare at journey woes as Karnataka braces for sealing its borders after a spike in Covid-19 instances in Kerala and Maharashtra. Already, many roads resulting in Karnataka within the border districts of Kasaragod and Wayanad have been closed and people who need to cross the borders ought to produce RT-PCR Covid-negative certificates obtained 72 hours previous to the entry. The Karnataka authorities are planning to implement the restrictions in full drive within the coming days. The motion of products to Kerala from neighbouring states won’t be affected instantly. Further, Karnataka has allowed drivers and helpers on cargo automobiles to cross the borders in the event that they produce Covid-negative certificates each 15 days. 

    Domestic travellers and people who come by air or sea from different international locations may also have to provide RT-PCR Covid-negative certificates taken 72 hours previous to boarding the plane or ship as per a February 17 round of the Central authorities. More than the home passengers, he new restrictions introduced by the Centre for folks coming from international international locations are anticipated to trigger miseries to the abroad diaspora. 

    From Monday, submission of a self-declaration on Air Suvidha portal after importing a adverse Covid-19 RT-PCR check report obtained inside 72 hours previous to the journey has been made necessary for all worldwide passengers reaching any of the ocean or air ports within the nation.

    Each passenger shall additionally submit a declaration with respect to the authenticity of the report and can be liable to felony prosecution, if discovered in any other case. A senior Air India officer mentioned: “The new restrictions will affect the movement of international passengers and Kerala would be hit severely as it has a good number of overseas people. There have also been instances of persons who have recovered from Covid showing prolonged RT-PCR positivity because of viral RNA debris remaining in clinical specimens.” 

    The UAE authorities has already requested folks travelling from India to offer QR code hyperlink of the check report together with the proper date and time of the pattern taken and examined within the report. The airways working between the UAE and India ought to authenticate the check reviews earlier than permitting passengers on the flight. “So, there is no doubt the passenger movement would be affected in a big way in the coming days as people would avoid travelling to avoid an embarrassing situation,” he mentioned. 

    Besides the air journey restrictions that got here into drive on Monday, the curbs imposed by  Karnataka will additional choke Kerala. Joint Transport Commissioner (Enforcement) Rajiv Puthalath mentioned: “The Transport Commissionerate has not received any panic calls from border districts. However, we are monitoring the situation.”

  • Kumbh Mela 2021: COVID destructive report obligatory, age restrict and extra. Check particulars

    Image Source : PTI (FILE) Kumbh Mela 2021: COVID destructive report obligatory, age restrict and extra. Check particulars 
    Uttarakhand authorities on Monday issued Covid-19 tips for devotees visiting Haridwar’s Kumbh Mela. According to the assertion, “devotees to be allowed at Kumbh Mela only after producing COVID negative RT-PCR report, issued not later than 72 hrs.”

    Besides, they will additionally should obtain the Aarogya Setu app. 

    Meanwhile, the authorities stated that folks over 65 yrs of age, the ailing, pregnant girls, youngsters under 10 years of age suggested to not come.

    ALSO READ | Kumbh Mela 2021: Govt points tips, makes medical certificates obligatory for attendees
    Latest India News

  • Consider grievances on check charges, HC tells govt

    By Express News Service
    KOCHI: Kerala High Court has directed the state authorities to think about the grievance of personal diagnostic centres and analysis centres which are conducting numerous sorts of Covid-19 checks relating to capping the speed for checks. The cost for RT-PCR was decreased from Rs 2,100 to 1,500.

    The courtroom directed to take a call primarily based on the illustration after giving them a possibility of listening to inside a interval of three weeks. Till such time, the petitioners must be permitted to grasp Rs 2,100 because the cost for RT-PCR check. The courtroom issued the order whereas disposing of a petition filed by R-Cell diagnostics and analysis centre, Kozhikode, and 6 others difficult the choice of the federal government.

    The petitioners identified that the federal government had fastened the utmost price for the RT-PCR check initially as `4,500 which was decreased to `2,750 on July 2 final 12 months. On October 21, it was decreased to `2,100. This charge was fastened bearing in mind numerous components like prices, together with accreditation prices, calibration, upkeep of kit, labour and high quality of check.

  • 1,050 new circumstances of corona virus an infection in Chhattisgarh

    On January 6, 1,050 extra corona virus infections have been confirmed in Chhattisgarh over the past 24 hours. The variety of individuals contaminated to this point by this virus within the state has elevated to 2,85,586.

    On Wednesday, 106 individuals within the state have been discharged from hospitals after turning into infection-free and 851 individuals accomplished isolation of their houses. Seven individuals contaminated with the corona virus died within the final 24 hours within the state. State Health Department officers stated on Wednesday that 1,050 circumstances of an infection have been reported on Wednesday.

    Officials stated that the variety of passengers arriving from Britain after December 9 within the state is 65. Of this, samples of 53 passengers have been despatched for examination of Kovid-19, whereas 12 different passengers are in different areas outdoors the state.

    He stated that samples of 47 of those passengers haven’t confirmed an infection. Six passengers have been discovered contaminated and are being handled. After the RT-PCR take a look at confirmed the an infection, samples of those sufferers have been despatched to a Pune-based laboratory for high-level examination.

    Officials stated that to this point 2,85,586 individuals have been confirmed contaminated in Chhattisgarh, of which 2,73,030 sufferers have turn into an infection free after remedy and 9,109 sufferers are present process remedy. A complete of three,447 individuals contaminated with the virus have died within the state.

  • Corona test to be free in Delhi, Home Minister Shah inaugurates RT-PCR lab

    The Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the mobile Kovid-19 RT-PCR lab in the campus of the Indian Council of Medical Research in New Delhi.

    This mobile lab is jointly started by ICMR and SpiceHealth. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan also attended the inauguration ceremony.

    Along with this testing lab, such other labs which are planned to be established, this will further increase the Kovid-19 testing capacity. This lab has been certified by NABL and accredited by ICMR.

    RT-PCR testing is very crucial and important for Kovid-19. The cost of this test will be Rs 499, which will bear the ICMR. This test will be free for the general public.