India has conducted 27 lakh+ Covid tests: ICMR

May 22, 2020 17:00

Union Health ministry briefing on Covid-19.

Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, ICMR, says so far 27,55,714 COVID-19 tests have been done till 1 pm today. 18,287 tests were done in private labs. "Today has been the 4th day when more than 1 lakh tests have been done in one day," Gangakhedkar, said.

Briefing by VK Paul, Chairman of Empowered Group 1 on Covid-19: "On behalf of the Govt of India, we appreciate the nation in achieving the milestone of providing 1 crore treatments under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. This is a huge achievement.

"The growth rate of COVID-19 cases has witnessed a steady fall from April 3, 2020 when lockdown was able to put a brake on the speed of growth. The number of cases today would have been much higher, had lockdown not been implemented.

"Like the number of cases, growth rate of number of COVID-19 deaths too has fallen significantly due to lockdown, marking a notable difference between pre-lockdown and post-lockdown situations.

"Current active COVID-19 cases (as of May 21) are concentrated in a few states and cities/districts; around 80 per cent in five states, over 60 per cent in five cities, over 90 per cent in 10 states and over 70 per cent in 10 cities.

"Manufacture of diagnostic kits has begun. Our indigenous capacity will be able to manufacture 5 lakh kits daily in the next 6-8 weeks.

"ICMR has prepared viral culture, at least five companies and six scientists are working at national laboratories to develop a vaccine.

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