Speed Post News Network
New Delhi : Starting from one test in January 2020 through a single lab in Pune, India exceeded cumulative COVID-19 sample tests of more than 3.5 crore on August 23, 2020. Consistently testing more than 8 lakh tests for the last six days including 8,01,147 COVID-19 tests in the past 24 hours, the total has touched 3,52,92,220.
The steep rise in the testing is a result of effective implementation of the aggressive testing strategy of the Centre through a focussed and graded approach. The rise in the daily testing has been followed by decrease in the average daily positivity rate.
Keeping a sharp focus on the “Test, Track and Treat” policy, the Tests Per Million (TPM) touched 25,574 on August 23, 2020. It is only by aggressive testing that the positive cases can be identified, their contacts tracked in a timely manner and promptly isolated, and the severe and critical patients provided the needed clinical treatment, according to a PIB release.
The TESTING strategy also ensured a steady expansion of the national lab network. Today, with 983 labs in the government sector and 532 private labs, 1,515 labs are providing comprehensive testing facilities to the people.