Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Friday asked officials to build up Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests so as to spot people afflicted with COVID-19 and treat them to assist prevent the spread of the disease.
The state features a high population density and hence everyone must remain more alert and vigilant regarding protecting oneself from getting infected with the virus, the chief minister said at a gathering to review the COVID-19 situation within the state.
“The number of RT-PCR tests should be increased further. there’s a requirement to extend testing in those districts which have witnessed high number of active COVID-19 cases. Testing should even be increased in riverine and ‘taal’ (low lying areas crammed with water most of the time) areas, Kumar said.
He asked officials to make sure availability of RT-PCR machines at the earliest in order that the amount of tests are often increased.
“More and more testing will help in identifying people infected with COVID-19. Their treatment would further help prevent the spread of the infection,” the CM said at the meeting held via video-conference.
He asked officials to stay themselves updated with the newest COVID figures to formulate strategies to affect the pandemic.
People got to be told of the advantages of wearing masks, the chief minister said.
Health department’s Principal Secretary Pratyaya Amrit informed Kumar that the entire number of tests has increased from 8,70,852 on August 7 to 22,28,516 till date.
The state’s recovery rate has also increased to 78.05 per cent from 64.44 per cent during the amount , he said that the national average is now 74.30 per cent.
Around 1.15 lakh samples are being done a day now through RTPCR, TrueNat and Rapid Antigen methods, the officer said.
A 500-bed COVID hospital will become functional from August 23 at Bihta in Patna district, he said adding that another such facility would become operational in Muzaffarpur soon.
