European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: For awareness and to reduce latency in adaptation to novel epidemics and pandemics as seen during ongoing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic. To ensure early diagnosis and implementation of preventive public health measures there by reducing the burden of morbidity and mortality, if at all any such situation arises in future.
Materials and Methods: By using molecular methods RT-PCR and True Nat and rapid antigen testing the COVID – 19 testing is done for COVID -19in our microbiology laboratory, Soban Singh Jeena Govt.
Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Almora  The kits used were Covisure Genetix Biotech Asia Pvt. Ltd). RTPCR machine (CFX-96, BioRad).  TruNat platform (MolBio Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd). COVISURE Realtime PCR kit approved by ICMR
TAT (the time from sample receipt in the laboratory to release of PCR result) has been calculated.
Results: 1,98,294 samples were tested for COVID – 19 Dept. of Microbiology, Soban Singh Jeena Govt. Institute of Medical Sciences & Research, Almora among which Cumulative Positive were 9323 and positivity rate was 4.7% by RT-PCR technique. 8660 tests were done by true nat for which 1564 were positive and the positivity rate was 18.1%. 5288 tests were done by Rapid Antigen Test, 184 were positive and 3.5% was the positivity rate for a time period of December 2020 to June 2022.
Conclusion: Although there was an initial lag phase in adaptation to COVID – 19 situation but later on due to self-motivation, co-ordinated and dedicated team work it has become possible to establish COVID – 19 testing facility in our upcoming teaching hospital in Almora. This proves that anything is possible with dedicated team work.