‘Maharashtra equipped to test 5,500 COVID-19 samples’

Currently, the 13 government labs can conduct 2,300 tests each day and eight private labs do 2,800 tests. In Maharashtra, so far, 6,323 people have been tested for coronavirus. Of these 5,911 were found negative.

All the tests undertaken were as per the prescribed medical protocol, and hence there was no need to mount pressure for ad hoc mass tests, Tope said. “Instead, we have to focus on precautions which are still found lacking and are a cause of serious concern.”

The minister said that the state had 2.5 lakh N95 mask and 35,000 personal protection equipment (PPE) kits, 21.70 lakh triple-layer surgical masks, and will acquire more stock when required. The three respiratory protective devices have been recognised as optimal to prevent transmission of the coronavirus disease.

Here’s a quick Coronavirus guide from Express Explained to keep you updated: What can cause a COVID-19 patient to relapse after recovery? | COVID-19 lockdown has cleaned up the air, but this may not be good news. Here’s why | Can alternative medicine work against the coronavirus? | A five-minute test for COVID-19 has been readied, India may get it too | How India is building up defence during lockdown | Why only a fraction of those with coronavirus suffer acutely | How do healthcare workers protect themselves from getting infected? | What does it take to set up isolation wards?