Bhubaneswar: Odisha is among the top five states to have conducted the most number of daily COVID-19 tests per million population, according to data released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Notably, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has advised 140 tests per day per million population. “With focused Centre led efforts and effective implementation by States/UTs, 34 of them have exceeded this requirement,” the ministry tweeted.
#IndiaFightsCorona@WHO has advised 140 tests per day per million population.
With focussed Centre led efforts and effective implementation by States/UTs, 34 of them have exceeded this requirement. pic.twitter.com/bkZguoO6Mt— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) August 14, 2020
With an average of 867 tests per day per million population, Odisha is ranked fifth in the country. It’s also way above the national average of 602 tests.
Andhra Pradesh with 2,822 tests per day per million population tops the list, followed by Goa (2,166), Kerala (1,233) and Tamil Nadu (925).
Madhya Pradesh (218), Jharkhand (234) and Rajasthan (345) are among the bottom three states that have reported more tests than that recommended by WHO.
On Thursday, Odisha had tested the highest of 42,761 samples for COVID-19. Of them, 6,635 were tested through RTPCR, 36,002 via Antigen and 124 through TrueNat.
Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Pradipta Mahapatra had stated that the number of daily tests in the state will be increased to more than 50,000 by the end of August.
Earlier, Director of the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS), Ajay Parida had said that efforts were on to increase COVID-19 tests to one lakh in Odisha very soon.
Also Read: Odisha Surpasses Record COVID-19 Tests In A Single Day
Also Read: Daily 1 Lakh COVID-19 Tests Soon; Infection Moving Towards Its Peak In Odisha, Says ILS Director
