AGARTALA, April 9 - The Tripura Government on Thursday decided to conduct random COVID-19 and rapid antibody tests to prevent transmission of the disease, three day after detection of a positive case in the State.
In the first phase, 2,000 random COVID-19 tests will be carried out across the State under the supervision of microbiologists to ascertain the ground situation, said State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Deep Debbarma.
�Persons experiencing cough, fever or difficulty in breathing, will undergo the COVID-19 test. The number of tests will be 2,000, which are expected to be conducted within a week. This will give a clear idea of the ground situation in the wake of the outbreak of the disease,� he stated.
Briefing media persons, Dr Debbarma said around 15,000 antibody tests would also be conducted across the State. �The rapid antibody test is like a malaria test through kits. If anything adverse is found, the suspected individual(s) will undergo the COVID-19 test,� he said.
The SSO revealed that 17 persons who came in close contact with the State�s first COVID-19 patient, have tested negative, which is a big relief. The high-risk persons included four family members of the patient.
