Challenge to stop the spread of COVID 19 as 80% of cases are asymptomatic

Anuj Maurya

In India, approximately 80% of the COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic, which are observed as the main reason for creating the pandemic. These asymptomatic corona carriers are tough to detect as they spread the virus without realizing it. Asymptomatic corona carrier is a person who carries the virus but does not show any symptoms and looks healthy.

In India, 6,65,815 tests have been done till recently, which is 482 tests per one million which is very low. According to WHO, India needs to do 1 to 1.5 lakh test per day but it is only 58000 in the current day scenario. India is doing the RTPCR test which is a very time taking process and takes 24 hours to give the correct result. To improve the number of testing ICMR asked for Rapid Test Kit which gives results in 3-4 hours. ICMR has ordered a 5 lakh Rapid Test after which India got a 6,50,000 test kit in which Rapid Antibody Test and RNA Extraction Kits included. Delivered Rapid Test Kits are found to be faulty and the accuracy rate is only 5 %. ICMR has complained about this fault to China and ordered to return the testing kits.

Corruption Involved in Rapid Test Deal: Order of the Justice Nazmi Waziri revealed shocker about profiteering up to 145% in the Rapid Test Deal. Indian company Matrix Laboratory in China bought test kits at Rs 250 per piece from Wondfo Company of China and sell it to Real Metabolics at Rs 600. Rapid Test Kits costs Rs 30 crore to ICMR which is far above the market rate. Strangely, the cost to Tamil Nadu only Rs 400 from Shah Biotech Company.

These Testing Kits are making life difficult for the Indian government. These faulty test kits have wasted 2 weeks of India and the opposition is alleging government for corruption. Many opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi and Ahmed Patel tweeted over this matter. In clarification of this, the ICMR told in a press conference that the Indian Government has cancelled the deal and no payments have been made.