Official backs alternative testing

SHILLONG: The Commissioner and Secretary of the Health department, Sampath Kumar, on Sunday vouched for GeneXpert TB platform for testing of the SARS-CoV-2 virus saying that it is accurate.
He, however, stated that the instrument and cartridge used for test has a claimed sensitivity of 250 copies of RNA/ml (Ribonucleic acid), according to a statement. “This is comparable to any other system currently available and the results are 100% reliable,” he said.
GeneXpert test is a molecular test for TB and provides an easy way to test COVID-19 as results are fast though it is not as effective as Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) which is one of the most accurate laboratory methods for detecting the virus.
He also informed that to use GeneXpert TB platform, bio safety level 2 (BSL-2) facilities are needed for running the test or any other test for the virus. This is for the safety of the person performing the test, he added.
He said the state is waiting for permission from the central government to allow these tests to be run from state laboratories having the facilities.
If required, additional instruments will be mobilised from the state government facilities to these centres for additional testing capacity, he added.
“The state government is moving ahead and subject to ICMR clearances, we are trying to make two machines operational within the next couple of days”, he said.