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Aizawl, June 4 (PTI): The Mizoram government has decided to test the samples of people returning to the state from containment zones in other parts of the country using Real- time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machines, to prevent community transmission of Covid-19.
A government order was issued in this regard on Wednesday.
The decision to use RT-PCR machines was taken after 12 returnees, whose Covid-19 infection could not be detected in Rapid Antibody Tests (RAT), subsequently tested positive for the novel coronavirus during the examination of their nasopharyngeal swabs using RT-PCR machines, Health and Family Welfare Board Vice-chairman Dr. ZR Thiamsanga said.
"Samples of all the stranded persons returning to the state from containment zones those who have already reached Mizoram and those who are on their way -- will be tested in laboratories for Covid-19. Those currently housed in quarantine centres, whom we earlier felt did not require laboratory testing, will also be tested," he told PTI.
The state government will procure four more RT-PCR machines to meet the testing requirement. At present, there is only one such machine at the state-run Zoram Medical College (ZMC), Thiamsanga, also chairman of the medical operation team on Covid-19, said.
Two such machines, one each from Manipur and the National Health Mission (NHM), are expected to reach Aizawl by next week, he said.
A person had on Tuesday donated INR 21 lakh for the purchase of RT-PCR machines.
"Most of the new RT-PCR machines will be installed at the ZMC. We hope to increase the testing ratio once the machines are installed," he added.