Even as the number of samples pending testing of COVID-19 suspects and random persons continues to increase in Madhya Pradesh, former chief minister Kamal Nath raised questions over the alleged scarcity of testing kits in the state, especially in hotspots Indore and Bhopal.
According to the bulletin issued by the state health department on Friday, of the 35,076 samples, as many as 8,843, which accounts for over 25 per cent, are yet to be tested.
Of the tested samples, 1,846 turned out to be positive as on Friday afternoon, the bulletin said.
Meanwhile, the number of people who tested positive in Indore breached the 1,000 mark, with the total cases standing at 1,029. During the past 24 hours, 84 new cases have been reported from Indore.
Indore has also reported two more deaths, taking the toll to 55. The death toll in the state stands at 92, with Ujjain reporting 11 deaths, followed by Bhopal (9), Khargone and Dewas (6 each).
Bhopal now has 360 positive cases, and Ujjain too has come into three figure zone with 102 positive cases. Bhopal reported 37 new cases in 24 hours while Ujjain reported 26 cases. As many as 159 cases have been reported from 26 districts in the past 24 hours.
Shortage of testing kits
Meanwhile, Nath raised questions over the reported shortage of testing kits in the state even as the number of samples to be tested continued to go up. “Several districts in the state are hotspots, and among red zones identified in the country. The increasing number of positive cases and deaths in Indore and Bhopal are very worrying. In such situation, the reports of unavailability of testing kits are worrying and surprising. The pendency on testing is continuously increasing,” Nath tweeted.
He further said the shortage of testing kits will negatively impact the battle against COVID-19. “Several patients who have been admitted to hospitals are awaiting their test reports. Many are also in quarantine. What are the government and the responsible persons doing? Why were steps not taken when there was information about shortage, and why is availability not ensured,” the former chief minister asked.
He further said he has been demanding that the number of samples to be tested should be increased. “But the pendency is increasing and without testing kits what will be possible,” he said, and urged the government to take necessary steps in this direction.
Health minister Narottam Mishra could not be contacted for comments.
