Bengaluru abandons random testing to focus on qualitative testing

The civic body will focus on people with COVID-19 symptoms, and on contacts of patients

The positivity rate leapfrogging to 14.35% in April from 2.31% in March is undeniable proof of the extent of community transmission in Bengaluru. In an effort to better utilise existing resources, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to stop random testing for COVID-19, a tool to help identify community transmission. Instead, it will focus on testing people with symptoms, those with Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI), and primary and secondary contacts. BBMP Special Commissioner (Health) P. Rajendra Cholan said the civic body will focus on qualitative testing. “Earlier, we would test people in railway stations and bus stands. But now that community spread has been confirmed, we decided to stop random testing,” he said.