Government likely to allow accredited private labs for testing coronavirus infections

NEW DELHI: With rising number of coronavirus infections in the country, the government is likely to give permission to accredited private labs for conducting tests to detect coronavirus infections, say officials.

"We are yet to finalise the names of labs. The modalities for the same are being worked out," an official told media.

As of now there are 52 labs throughout the country which are carrying out tests for detection of this virus.

The list is here: https://icmr.nic.in/sites/default/files/upload_documents/Testing_sites_for_COVID19.pdf

India has reported another death due to coronavirus. A 64-year-old patient has passed away at Kasturba hospital in Mumbai.

The first case of death was reported from Karnataka, the second one from Delhi.

Meanwhile, the doctor who treated patient from Karnataka’s Kalburgi region has tested positive for coronavirus. The 76-year-old man from Kalburgi was India’s first death case that occurred sue to coronavirus.

“He along with his family has been kept in quarantine at his home. He will be sent to isolation ward today,” Sharat B, deputy commissioner of Kalburgi, told media.

So far 124 people in India have been infected from coronavirus. Three people have died so far from the infection.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for harnessing technology to tackle the coronavirus (COVID-19) challenge.

Noting that a number of people have been suggesting technology-driven solutions for tackling the pandemic, Modi urged netizens to share their ideas with the government.

“Harnessing innovation for a healthier planet… A lot of people have been sharing technology-driven solutions for COVID-19. I would urge them to share them on ‘mygovindia’. These efforts can help many. ‘India Fights Corona’,” the Prime Minister tweeted.

Prime Minister Modi also tweeted to laud the efforts made to control the spread of coronavirus in the country.

Additionally, all existing visas, except diplomatic, official, UN/International Organizations, employment, project visas, stand suspended till 15th April 2020. This will come into effect from 1200 GMT on 13th March 2020 at the port of departure, informed the Ministry of Health.

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