Truenat screening in Vizag to intensify the coronavirus detection process

In a bid to detect the coronavirus, the Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC), along with the Visakhapatnam District administration, is ramping up the efforts. As a part of the joint action plan, ward volunteers and paramedical staff have begun collecting samples from coronavirus suspects, identified during the door-to-door surveys. In order to speed up the coronavirus detection process, the GVMC is now gearing up to obtain quicker results through the Truenat screening in Vizag.

The Truenat kits are essentially used for Tuberculosis and Malaria diagnosis. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has recently recommended the use of the Truenat beta Cov test for the screening of COVID-19. For each sample, the test takes around 70 minutes. The test results will be confirmed only after coordinating with the virology lab.

In this regard, the GVMC Commissioner, G Srijana (IAS), held a video conference with the representatives of Primary Health Care (PHC) Centre, Community Health Centre (CHC), along with the municipal, zonal commissioners and Panchayat Raj officials, on Thursday morning. During the meeting, the GVMC Commissioner has instructed the authorities to collect the samples in Vizag, from those who are suffering from coronavirus symptoms and carry out Truenat Screening. She directed the officials to test the senior citizens of the city at the nearest hospitals, even if they do not show symptoms. Ms Srijana further mentioned that daily reports of the senior citizens and suspects should be duly updated. She informed that disinfection drives in the hot spots, of all areas in Vizag, are followed by regular sanitation activities. The Commissioner also said that the public should be sensitised of coronavirus disease through announcements and social media campaigns.