Now, 8k tests being done per day, local authorities say
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir has now become number one in the country in COVID-19 testing with the testing rate of over 10,000 per million.
The testing capacity in the Union Territory has gone up from just about 100 tests/day in March to 8000 tests/day now. In the last one month alone, the testing capacity has been enhanced from 1800 tests/day to 8100/day – an increase by a whopping 350%.
The information was provided earlier this week by Principal Secretary to Government, Power Development Department and Information, Rohit Kansal, who is also the official spokesperson of J&K Government.
He said that aggressive and sustained testing is the only effective weapon against the disease and the administration shall continue to pursue it effectively.
The official also stated that the Government has taken a slew of measures on the health, economic and welfare fronts. “Jammu and Kashmir was probably one of the first States or UTs to take note of the emerging situation and initiate action and many of our interventions have not only been fast but effective too.”
It may be recalled that the total number of COVID 19 cases in J&K is 1759. The number of recovered cases are 833 while as 25 people have died of the infection.
Health officials say that while J&K had been able to achieve a low growth rate and a doubling rate of over three weeks, this should not become a cause of complacency.
Effective lockdown, strong containment policy, aggressive testing and cooperation by the people of J&K has played a key role in containment of COVID 19.
Meanwhile, the government has claimed to be adopting a policy of testing 100% of all returnees. All the returnees are being tested, and as a result of the strategy, the administration has been successful in tracing more than 450 positive cases so far.
It is in place to mention here that the UT Government has issued SoPs for the reopening of markets, industry and trade. Similarly, SOPs have been issued for returnees and passengers.
Given that the increased testing rate will be helpful to test all potential positive cases, the next challenge for the government is to convince people to keep staying in their homes as there seems no likelihood for the lockdown to be relaxed in the days to come.
