ICMR DIRECTS STATES NOT TO USE COVID-19 RAPID TEST KITS FOR 2 DAYS

The Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) during a press briefing on Tuesday directed all states not to use the new COVID-19 rapid test kit for two days.

This comes hours after the Rajasthan government stopped using the China-made rapid testing kits citing inaccuracy in results.

"States advised not to use rapid testing kits for two days. A lot of variations, kits will be tested and validated by on-ground teams and we will give advisory in the next 2 days," R Gangakhedkar of ICMR was quoted as saying by Economic Times.

Earlier today, Health Minister of Rajasthan said the kits gave only 5.4 per cent accurate results against the expectation of 90 per cent accuracy and therefore the kits were of no benefit.