Fresh alarm by DAK about the authenticity of RT-PCR test
By: Shayib Bhat VOV
Srinagar
Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Friday said new Covid-19 variants can be missed by RT-PCR test, sending alarm bells among the common people who have no other way to check the virus.
“A negative test does not exclude the possibility of infection with a mutated strain of the novel coronavirus,” said the association in the press release.
RT-PCR test is the most common diagnostic test used to identify people infected with Covid-19 infection and if it can miss the new variant of new Covid-19, it can lead to the spread of infection.
After the dip in the covid-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir, there has been an increase in the cases and most of them have been detected among the travelers.
While many parts struggle to control the second wave of the Covid-19, authorities in Jammu and Kashmir have lifted the restrictions and have even allowed the schools to function, thus bringing the fresh wave of Covid to the door step of Kashmir.
In one of the schools of Srinagar already covid-19 cases have been detected but despite such alarming situations the government is allowing all the schools to function and have opened other educational institutions also.
“New variants have the ability to evade detection by the molecular test” said the DAK in its fresh statement on Friday. Meanwhile agencies quoting the DAK statement have said,
“While RT-PCR test tells you if Covid-19 virus is in a person’s body, genetic sequencing would tell you about the specific strain of the virus that the person has been infected with,” he said.
“We send only positive samples for genetic testing to look for new variants.”“Sequencing is also needed when variants are suspected, but RT-PCR test has produced a negative result,” Dr Nisar said.
“Detecting and tracking variants is critical to prevent another wave of Covid-19.”
“At just over one year into Covid-19 pandemic, evolution of the virus has generated many viral variants that differ in their genetic sequence from the original strain,” he said.
“Evidence is emerging about how these variants differ in transmission characteristics, associated clinical symptoms and vaccine efficacy.”
“Continued evolution has led to several variants with evidence of increased transmissibility including UK, South African and Brazilian variants.
In India over 241 different mutations have been reported so far, but the new ones in Maharashtra have raised concern because their presence has been detected at a time when cases have risen significantly in the state,” said Dr Nisar.
With inputs from agencies
