With 2.66 lakh Covid tests having been conducted across the state in the last 24 hours, the state government claimed to have set a new record through continuous emphasis on increasing the number of tests. These included 1.14 lakh RT-PCR tests and 19,000 of these were done in private laboratories. Till date, Uttar Pradesh has conducted the highest number of 4.10 crore Covid tests in the country.
Earlier, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had directed surveillance teams to undertake door-to-door surveys, increase the pace of vaccination and double the testing capacity in order to contain corona spread and ensure prompt treatment of positive cases. This is why despite being the most populous state in the country, UP has a lesser ratio of positive cases in comparison to other states.
An official communiqué released on Saturday said that the state gave special focus to testing in view of the growing number of cases. Uttar Pradesh has the unique distinction of being the first state in the country to do more than 40 million Covid tests. To further accelerate the number of sample testing, the state government has placed an order for 40 new RT-PCR machines.
The government release claimed that the government formed surveillance teams during the first wave of Corona pandemic last year. The teams have been conducting door-to-door visits since then to detect suspected Covid cases and facilitate treatment. Until last Monday, the surveillance team of Health Department conducted more than 16.31 crore visits in the state and facilitated tests for suspected cases during this period while treatment of those who tested positive was started.
In recent weeks, the vaccination drive for Covid-19 has gained momentum in the state and was expected to reduce effects of Covid infection. So far, a total of 1.25 lakh vaccine doses have been administered, including 1.02 lakh first doses and 23,000 second doses.