Punjab starts ‘pool-testing’ of suspected coronavirus patients

The Punjab Government on Thursday launched a Pooled procedure for the investigation of suspected coronavirus patients in the Viral Research Diagnostic Lab (VRDL) of the state. With this, the expected jump in testing capacity will be about 3 to 4 times the existing capacity. Medical Education and Research Minister Punjab, OM Prakash Soni stated that the outcome was very promising and no evidence of false results has been found during the tests at Viral Research Diagnostic Labs (VRDL) of states. He also said that during this testing algorithm involves the screening of pooled specimens of multiple patient specimens followed by the individual testing or pool deconvolution only if the pool is positive and if the report of pooled sample is negative then all the reports of persons involved in announced negative. He further stated that the Pooled testing detects viral RNA in samples accurately and helps maximise the existing resources. It can save costs while enhancing capacity enormously, he said. Also Read |  Gurdaspur reports first death; Punjab coronavirus cases rise to 193 Reportedly, the researchers from Germany and Israel have validated this method and ICMR had issued an advisory in this regard on April 13. Punjab labs had immediately taken up this challenge and have delivered the results, thereby saving not only on costs but the test kits which are in limited supply worldwide. The Medical Education Minister praised the doctors and staff toiling day and night in the labs. -PTC News