Quarantine centre inmates want systematic and organised testing protocol
Source: The Sangai Express
Kakching, June 18 2020:
Untimely COVID-19 tests and delay in results are worrying many in quarantine centres, said inmates at the Community Quarantine Centre at Kakching Public School.
In a statement, the inmates claimed that chances of contracting/spread of the virus increase when tests and results are delayed.
Release of tests results days after collection of samples compromises the health and safety of the inmates.
To effectively control and curb spread of the virus within and outside the quarantine centres, tests should be conducted early and the respective results should be available in time, they said.
In case one of the inmates is confirmed for the virus, he/she should be evacuated immediately/at the earliest and take up proper measures for safety of the remaining inmates.
A gap of 5 or more days in between the test and arrival of results only increases the chances of spread of the virus, they said.
Highlighting their grievances, the inmates asserted that the rise in the COVID-19 cases in the State may be because of "unsystematic and unorganised" testing procedures.
Two from the quarantine centre were tested positive for COVID-19 on June 15 .
Some of the inmates waited about 10 days for their test results.
One of the inmates with comorbidity is still waiting for the test result.
His swab sample was collected on June 3, they claimed.
Since two of the inmates have been tested positive for COVID-19, they have to undergo re-test again to assess whether there is spread of the virus (during their stay).
Appealing authorities concerned to conduct the re-tests required, the inmates said timely and early testing could curb possible spread of the virus.
The inmates also pointed out that delay in tests and release of results has also affected their quarantine period.
Organised and systematic testing could contain the virus, ease the concerns of the inmates and burden of those engaged in the quarantine centres, they said.