ZP defends use of RAT tests in Pune rural, despite high case load

PUNE Over the past few days, Pune rural has been reporting a higher share of the number of new Covid-19 cases in Pune district as compared to both the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies

PUNE Over the past few days, Pune rural has been reporting a higher share of the number of new Covid-19 cases in Pune district as compared to both the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad civic bodies.

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Despite a heavy case load being reported from villages, the administration has lowered its RT-PCR testing numbers, in comparison with the rapid antigen tests (RAT). The ratio of RTPCR and RAT tests, which has to be maintained at 70:30, is now at 50:50, or even 60:40, with RAT tests dominating in Pune rural. RAT tests have been known to give false negatives and RTPCR tests are considered to be the gold standard for testing.

As per the district information office, on Tuesday, while the district reported 960 new Covid-19 cases, of which 544 cases came from Pune rural. On Monday, Pune district reported 718 new cases, of which councils and villages reported 417 cases. On Sunday, Pune reported 1,100 new Covid-19 cases, of which 673 cases came from the villages and councils. The share of RAT tests among the overall covid testing has been much higher.

With the a higher number of RAT tests, the positivity rate may appear lower, as it may also include false negatives. This is why the state government has made it mandatory to consider only RTPCR positives before announcing any relaxations or lower the restrictions in any district.

However, the district administration has defended the use of RAT tests for mass testing and super spreaders testing. Ayush Prasad, chief executive officer (CEO), Zilla Parishad, said, “This is because of the mass testing that we conduct at market places and among super spreaders for early detection and isolation. During the survey conducted in June and July, among super spreaders in rural areas we found the positivity rate to be lower than 3% and sometimes when we get a positive patient, there is demand from the relatives to get their results earlier. However if someone is symptomatic, or is a high-risk contact of a Covid-19 positive person we go for RTPCR test.”