Coimbatore: Following the ineffectiveness of the rapid test kits procured by the State government, all 24,000 kits procured are said to be returned.
Coimbatore: Following the ineffectiveness of the rapid test kits procured by the State government, all 24,000 kits procured are said to be returned.
While last week the city journos were subjected to COVID19 tests through rapid test kits, repeat tests are now being held through swab collection. The rapid test kits results have shown wide variation in their sensitivity, despite earlypromise of good performance for surveillance purpose.
"As per the ICMR order, all 24,000 kits received by the Tamil Nadu government are being returned," Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar said in a statement.
Arrangements were made at the Corporation School in Sidhapudur here, today for conducting swab tests on journos belonging to digital, print and TV mediums.
More than 100 mucus samples of journalists were taken today for COVID-19 testing at the Corporation School in Siddhapudur. On the first day of testing, the PCR test was conducted on 100 media persons.
More than 20 health department workers were involved in the collection of the samples. The testing is expected to be conducted for two days. All journalists are requested to volunteer to get tested.
How is testing for coronavirus done?
Testing for COVID-19 involves inserting a 6-inch long swab (like a long Q-tip) into the cavity between the nose and mouth (nasopharyngeal swab) for 15 seconds and rotating the swab several times. The swabbing is then repeated on the other side of the nose to make sure enough material is collected. The swab is then inserted into a container and sent to a lab for testing.