After recently directing all hospitals to start both COVID and non-COVID services, the State Government on Wednesday instructed hospitals to discontinue routine COVID-19 testing of clinically asymptomatic persons prior to hospitalization (regular and day care) and other procedures.
This is based on the ICMR’s recent advisory on purposive testing strategy. The State’s Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) had also recommended the practice of testing all asymptomatic patients before hospitalization and surgeries should be stopped. However, testing of symptomatic persons should be continued, stated a circular issued here.
Meanwhile , Karnataka on Wednesday reported 667 new cases of COVID-19 taking the total to 39,38,699. Bengaluru Urban recorded 368 cases. The day’s test positivity rate in the State reduced to 0.91%.
