We can conduct 5,000 tests daily, says Dr. Sudhakar
Bengaluru:
Karnataka is geared and ready to face any surge in infections with the relaxation of the lockdown, Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar told Union Health Minister Dr. Harshvardhan and Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey during a video conference on Friday. He said adequate safety measures were in place in advance of Indian citizens abroad returning to Karnataka.
“We are effectively using tele medicine and tele ICU services to tackle the coronavirus. There were only 2 testing labs in the state in the beginning but now we have 32 labs with a capacity to conduct more than 5,000 tests per day,” he said.
Noting that Karnataka was effectively using 4T (Track, Trace, Test and Treat) technology against Covid-19, Dr. Sudhakar requested Dr. Harsh Vardhan for ICMR approval for two private testing units in Bengaluru, which would enable the state to conduct an additional 6,500 tests per day. The Union Minister directed his officials to do the needful and promised more testing kits for the state.
Dr. Sudhakar said Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa has been constantly reviewing the situation in the state, and the Aapta Mitra app has been launched for the benefit of citizens.
Union Health Secretary Priti Sudan and other officials were present during the video conference.