Govt. irked at KGMOA letter on mass testing

Forum says testing be limited to selected target group, govt. says it is a scientic decision

A letter given to the Chief Secretary by the Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association (KGMOA) pointing out that the augmented mass testing in the State without enhancing diagnostic facilities or human resources would be self defeating seems to have rubbed the government the wrong way. The KGMOA, in its letter to the Chief Secretary, had pointed out that the augmented RT-PCR testing without adequate facilities was resulting in a delay of over several days for results to be made available. Even the results of the first round of mass testing was not fully out. Other than voluntary isolation, there was no way the health system could ensure that the person who underwent the COVID test did not mingle with others till the results were out. The delay in obtaining test results led to the dangerous situation of the tested individuals freely moving, spreading disease among the community. The KGMOA suggested that considering these limitations, testing be limited to selected target groups, symptomatic persons and their primary contacts.