Rapid COVID-19 tests to begin in Assam from 22 April: Himanta

April 21: It was already declared by State Health and Family Welfare Minister, Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma that rapid antibody tests for detecting coronavirus will begin soon. On Tuesday afternoon, the minister took to his tweeter handle and informed that from 22 April, rapid testing will begin in the state.

Himanta Biswa Sarma informed that the rapid test will start from Spanish Garden society in Guwahati, which has been declared as a containment zone. The minister added that though such type of rapid antibody tests are non-confirmatory, yet useful for mass surveillance in containment areas as it gives results within 15 minutes. He also informed that the central government has given 9600 Rapid Antibody test kits to Assam.

From April 22, we shall begin Rapid Antibody tests, from Spanish Garden – a containment zone.

GoI has given 9600 Rapid Antibody test kits for IgM/IgG to Coronavirus. The test is non-confirmatory yet useful for mass surveillance in containment areas as it gives results in 15 mnts pic.twitter.com/sQeXH6qv02

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) April 21, 2020

Himanta tweeted, “From April 22, we shall begin Rapid Antibody tests, from Spanish Garden – a containment zone. GoI has given 9600 Rapid Antibody test kits for IgM/IgG to Coronavirus. The test is non-confirmatory yet useful for mass surveillance in containment areas as it gives results in 15 mnts.”

A tweeter user urged upon the minister to charge money for the tests from those who can afford it. However, replying to him, Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote, “In case of pandemic,issue is not personal health but public health. Each and every testing is basically aimed at strengthening society not individual. If any one decline to test, society will be at risk. So our priority is testing not cost.”