The Health Department has admitted that the new and mutated variants of Covid-19 virus were capable of dodging RT PCR tests, thereby recommending people with severe symptoms of infection to undergo High Resolution Computed Tomography (HRCT) test even if they test negative in RT PCR – the most preferred way of detecting Covid-19 infection so far.
In a letter addressed to the Director of Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Health Secretary KK Soan stated that the new variants of Covid-19, already traced in Ranchi and East Singhbhum, can “escape” RT PCR tests sometimes. Soan further stated in the letter that HRCT has potential role in diagnosis under the current circumstances even in patients who have tested negative in RT PCR.
The mutant strains of the virus also have a higher transmissibility and are likely to evade the immune response of the body developed after exposure to the un-mutated Covid-19 virus or vaccination, claim scientists. In the wake of the importance of HRCT test and the government’s responsibility of providing affordable medical attention to all the residents of the state, the health department has decided to cap the cost of HRCT at Rs.3000.
“It is hereby decided to fix the rate of HRCT in the State setups to Rs.2500 in 16 slice machine. It can exceed up to maximum of Rs.2750 in 16 to 64 slice machine and to a maximum of Rs.3000 in 64 to 256 slice machine. The price shall include the cost of PPE kits and sanitisers required, if any,” the letter stated, directing all radiological, imaging and sonography centres in Jharkhand to adhere to the rate chart fixed by the government.
Jharkhand is facing the worst ever wave of Covid-19 since the beginning of April. As per government data, the state is reporting around 4000 cases and 50 deaths every day on an average, leading to shortage of beds in hospitals and long queues outside crematoriums for cremation of Covid-infected bodies.
Last week, the Regional Genome Sequencing Laboratory at Bhubaneshwar-based Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) confirmed that the UK mutant strain and double mutant strain of Coronavirus were found among Covid samples in Ranchi and East Singhbhum – two of the worst-affected districts in Jharkhand in terms of caseload and casualties.
HRCT, doctors say, is used to diagnose infection in lungs through CT scan. It is used for imagining of lungs to identify any abnormality. However, health experts also say that HRCT is not necessary for all patients of Covid-19 and should be used only for such patients who show severe symptoms of the infection. Ideally, people staying in home isolation do not need an HRCT test, doctors say.
