COVID-19: SOP Issued For Private Hospitals, Labs, Nursing Homes To Conduct Antigen, RT-PCR Tests

Bhubaneswar: Odisha government has allowed the use of Rapid Antigen and RT-PCR testings for COVID-19 in private hospitals, nursing homes and laboratories of the state following the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. The state health and welfare department has issued a directive in this regard on Sunday.

Only registered and National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL)-approved private companies can test antigens. The Department of Health has asked to comply with the SOPs prescribed by the ICMR.

The antigen test report has to be uploaded to the ICMR portal. The technicians of the testing laboratories need to be trained. In addition, it is important to have a separate self-collection booth at the relevant health facility.

The government will be informed first about the test report and after 24 hours, the person tested will receive the report. At present, the government has set a price target of Rs 450 for the antigen kit.

RT-PCR machines will be installed in all laboratories in compliance with the ICMR norms. According to the Department of Health Research (DHR) guidelines, the Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC) will ensure the quality of all these domestic labs.

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