UP becomes the first state to conduct over 5 crore Covid tests

Lucknow. With over 3.3 lakh Covid tests undertaken in last 24 hours, UP became the first state to conduct over 5crore Covid tests. As per state health department data, 3.33 lakh Covid-19 tests were conducted in past 24 hours, taking the total tests undertaken in the state to 5.07crore. This is over 14% of total tests done in the country since the onset of pandemic. In terms of technique, two crore tests were conducted through RT-PCR method. Principal secretary medical education, Alok Kumar said: “UP has achieved another milestone and come a long way in Covid-19 testing. Earlier, samples would be sent to NIV, Pune, but infrastructure was quickly ramped up to set up testing centres here.” State government officers stated over 65% tests conducted during the second wave were done in rural areas with help of rapid response teams. In fact, more than 61lakh tests were done in April of which 63% were in rural areas. Likewise, in May, 70% of 85 lakh tests were conducted in villages. Additional chief secretary, information, Navneet Sehgal, said, despite being the most populous state in the country, Uttar Pradesh has outpaced other states, including Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. “Compared to 3.52 crore tests in worst-hit Maharashtra, UP conducted 30% more tests,” he said. Officials pointed out the strategy of test and treat helped Uttar Pradesh to limit the virus spread. They also said tailor-made containment plans had been made for urban and rural areas and patients were tracked through surveillance committees.