Chinese Rapid Test Kits For COVID-19 Faulty, Say States | Read

The efficacy of Rapid Testing kits for coronavirus brought in from China have been questioned by three states, one of which, Rajasthan, has refused to use them. Following complaints from Rajasthan that only 5.4 per cent of the tests have proved effective, the Indian Council of Medical Research -- the nodal body in the fight against coronavirus -- has asked states to hold off the use of the Rapid Testing Kits for two days, in which they hope to resolve the matter. While worldwide, medical experts agree that the Rapid testing method is not foolproof, questions were raised about the Chinese kits that reached India last week. Beijing has denied the kits are of inferior quality. The ICMR was against the widespread rapid tests, advocating its use only as a screening process in hotspots. Sources said it agreed only after pressure from states, which wanted to conduct more tests.