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    Delhi deploys antibody test, but no clarity on price and kit

    Synopsis

    An owner of a private diagnostic chain, who did not wish to be identified, said, “We have no clarity on the amount of money we can charge. There are numerous testing kits in the market and there is a Rs 200-400 price difference.”

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    NEW DELHI: Delhi has decided to use antibody testing for healthcare workers, security personnel, hotel industry, construction workers, prisons and other sectors to ensure smooth rollout of Unlock 2.0.

    After Maharashtra, Delhi government has asked all private diagnostic centres and laboratories associated with private hospitals to start using antibody tests as a sero-surveillance tool and not a diagnostic test for SARS-CoV-2. This would mean that any corporate office, security agency or shopping establishment planning to start operations can request a private laboratory to run an antibody test to see if their staff have been infected by the virus and have developed immunity.

    This is a part of Indian Council of Medical Research’s immunity certificate” plan, which allows an asymptomatic individual to travel or resume work at a public office after he shows antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Presence of antibodies means that the person has been infected and has developed immunity to the infectious disease.

    As Delhi wrote to all laboratories and private hospitals allowing the use of antibody testing and forwarded ICMR advisory, the government did not give any specifics on the antibody test kits to be used, the cost of the test and other specifics like if children could be tested. An owner of a private diagnostic chain, who did not wish to be identified, said, “We have no clarity on the amount of money we can charge. There are numerous testing kits in the market and there is a Rs 200-400 price difference.”

    Maharashtra, the first state to allow corporate houses and healthcare establishments to use antibody testing for opening up last week, had specified testing kits. However, there has been no communication from Delhi government. The directive says, “An advisory dated June 23, 2020 has been issued by Indian Council of Medical Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including newer additional testing strategies for improving the access and availability of testing in various parts of the country. All concerned are directed to strictly follow the advisory issued by ICMR to increase the outreach of testing.”

    With a number of showcause notices being served by Delhi government to private laboratories flagging issues, the laboratories are sceptical about deploying the antibody testing. The test can be particularly useful for asymptomatic individuals who have been quarantined, cancer patients and dialysis patients who seek admission to a healthcare facility for procedures. “Since there are no clear directives on what to charge, where to upload data and who to test, we are being very careful,” said another laboratory owner.

    Diagnostic centres have pointed out grey areas as well. “If a businessman walks in with family requesting for antibody test he and his wife could be tested but should we test the children? There are many grey areas not specified in the letter,” said the laboratory owner.



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