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Mass testing plus vaccination

IFP Editorial: Before undertaking mass testing, Manipur health officials need to study the problems and issues associated with such large scale testing in other states and countries.

ByIFP Bureau

Updated 29 May 2021, 6:24 pm

(PHOTO: IFP)
(PHOTO: IFP)

We are certainly glad that the Manipur government is seriously considering mass testing or house-to-house testing in vulnerable areas and containment zones. While asserting that early detection and early medication is the key to flatten the Covid curve, Chief Minister N Biren Singh said 50,000 RAT kits had been recently distributed to different districts and another 1 lakh kits had been ordered for procurement. The recent spike in daily Covid-19 positive numbers in the state had become a cause of concern and it is stipulated that home isolation without adequate separation facilities at homes in both urban and rural areas could be the main cause of the steep hike, because of the highly infectious strain in the second wave. The problem seems to be not only of inadequate home isolation facilities, but also because of inappropriate behaviour among certain sections. We do not know whether the state health department has a separate unit dedicated to data analysis of the geographical spread and concentration of positive cases, besides the mode of infection. For example, right now the districts of Imphal West and Imphal East throw up daily highest figures in Covid-19 positives. The population density of these two districts is quite high as compared to other districts, as such a scientific mapping of positive cases and multiple assessment is necessary for evolving a proper response with targeted outcomes. Before undertaking mass testing, the state health officials need to study the problems and issues associated with such large scale testing in other states and countries. Some epidemiologists are concerned about whether this initiative is even useful or if it could actually contribute to the spread of the virus.

ALSO READ:  Mass COVID-19 testing in the state soon: Manipur CM Biren

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In almost every undertaking, there are both positive and negative fallouts. Among the shortfalls of diagnostic testing is the possibility of false negatives (failing to detect a condition when it’s present) and false positives (detecting a condition when it’s absent). It’s easy to see why false negatives can be a problem – we lose the benefits of early intervention. But false positives can also cause harm, including unnecessary treatment. This is why positive screening tests are often followed up with a second, different test to confirm a diagnosis. The advantage of using a rapid antigen test is that it reduces the burden of relying on just RT-PCR tests to identify Covid-19 patients. Antigen testing is useful because even if it’s less sensitive, it is rapid and the results that are positive will be positive.

So, patients who test positive can get into isolation faster. Right now, one of the two testing VRDL laboratories in the state at RIMS is out of action and it had stopped taking samples a few days back.

ALSO READ: VRDL RIMS to halt processing of RT PCR tests

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The JNIMS laboratory stopped functioning for two days due to positive cases among the laboratory staff. So, confirmation of the RAT test results by RT-PCR test could have problems at present. The state government needs to take into consideration such factors, besides the inadequacy of home isolation facilities and Community Home Isolation Centres before venturing on a mass testing program. Another strategy would be more effective surveillance, adequate testing and timely treatment. We think the time has come to begin serological survey through antibody tests in clusters where there is concentration of Covid-19 positives.

Besides the mass testing drive, the state should also consider mass vaccination among the population which seems to be the only solution to check the pandemic. The lockdowns and Covid-19 appropriate behaviour of washing hands frequently or maintaining physical distance or masking oneself are just temporary measures to delay the infection. Who knows, what strain would come in the third wave? With a complaint BJP-led government at the Centre, the state needs to put down its feet for more vaccine supply to hasten the vaccination process. Manipur cannot simply afford to buy vaccines on its own.

- EDITORIAL

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RIMSJNIMSRATcovid testcovid vaccinationmass testing

IFP Bureau

IFP Bureau

IMPHAL, Manipur

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