COVID-19: “Stop Rapid Tests For 2 Days”: ICMR

After several states reported issues, the government onTuesday advised them to not use rapid tests for the next two days, with theIndian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) set to send field teams to check someof these kits.

"States advised not to use rapid testing kits for twodays. A lot of variations, kits will be tested and validated by on-ground teamsand we will give advisory in the next 2 days," said R Gangakhedkar, IndianCouncil of Medical Research (ICMR).

Earlier in the day, the Rajasthan government stopped usingthe China-made rapid testing kits for coronavirus after they deliveredinaccurate results.

The state's health minister Raghu Sharma said the kits gave only 5.4 percent accurate results against the expectation of 90 percent accuracy and therefore the kits were of no benefit, adding that the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has been informed about the issue.