Advisory on Strategy for COVID-19 Testing in India – ICMR

Advisory on Strategy for COVID-19 Testing in India

Indian Council of Medical Research
Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health
and Family Welfare, Government of India

Advisory on Strategy for COVID-19 Testing in India
(Version VI, dated 4th September 2020)
Recommended by the National Task Force on COVID-19

ICMR’s advisory is generic in nature and may be modified as per discretion of the state health authorities.

A. Routine surveillance in containment zones and screening at points of entry:

Choice of Test (in order of priority):

i. Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) [as per attached algorithm]
ii. RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT

1. All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) cases including health care workers and frontline workers.
2. All asymptomatic direct and high-risk contacts (in family and workplace, elderly ≥ 65 years of age, immunocompromised, those with co-morbidities etc.) of a laboratory confirmed case to be tested once between day 5 and day 10 of coming into contact.
3. All asymptomatic high-risk individuals (elderly ≥ 65 years of age, those with co-morbidities etc.) in containment zones.

*RAT for containment zone: Ideally, it is suggested that 100% people living in containment zones should be tested by RAT particularly in cities where there has been widespread transmission of infection.

B. Routine surveillance in non-containment areas:
Choice of Test (in order of priority):

i. RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT
ii. Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)*

4. All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) individuals with history of international travel in the last 14 days.
5. All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) contacts of a laboratory confirmed case.
6. All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) health care workers / frontline workers involved in containment and mitigation activities.
7. All symptomatic ILI cases among returnees and migrants within 7 days of illness.
8. *All asymptomatic high-risk contacts (contacts in family and workplace, elderly ≥ 65 years of age, those with co-morbidities etc. [RAT is recommended as the first choice of test in order of priority]

C. In Hospital Settings:

Choice of Test (in order of priority):

i. RT-PCR or TrueNat or CBNAAT
ii. Rapid Antigen Test (RAT)

9. All patients of Severe Acute Respiratory Infection (SARI).
10. All symptomatic (ILI symptoms) patients presenting in a healthcare setting.
11. Asymptomatic high-risk patients who are hospitalized or seeking immediate hospitalization such as immunocompromised individuals, patients diagnosed with malignant disease, transplant patients, patients with chronic co-morbidities, elderly ≥ 65 years.
12. Asymptomatic patients undergoing surgical / non-surgical invasive procedures (not to be tested more than once a week during hospital stay).
13. All pregnant women in/near labor who are hospitalized for delivery.

Points to be noted:

• No emergency procedure (including deliveries) should be delayed for lack of test.However, sample can be sent for testing if indicated as above (1-13), simultaneously.
• Pregnant women should not be referred for a lack of testing facility. All arrangements should be made to collect and transfer samples to testing facilities.
• Mothers who test positive for COVID-19 should be advised to wear a mask and undertake frequent handwashing while handling their baby for 14 days. They should also be advised on breast cleaning before feeding the neonate. These measures are likely to reduce transmission of COVID-19 to their babies.

14. All symptomatic neonates presenting with acute respiratory / sepsis like illness. (Features suggestive of acute respiratory illness in a neonate are respiratory distress or apnea with or without cough, with or without fever. Neonates may also manifest with only non-respiratory symptoms like fever, lethargy, poor feeding, seizures or diarrhea).

15. Patients presenting with atypical manifestations [stroke, encephalitis, hemoptysis, pulmonary embolism, acute coronary symptoms, Guillain Barre syndrome, Multiple Organ Dysfunction Syndrome, progressive gastrointestinal symptoms, Kawasaki Disease (in pediatric age group)] based on the discretion of the treating physician.

D. Testing on demand (State Governments to decide simplified modalities):

16. All individuals undertaking travel to countries/Indian states mandating a negative COVID-19 test at point of entry.

17. All individuals who wish to get themselves tested.

Tracking and contact tracing mechanisms should be ensured by the testing laboratories by notifying the public health authorities.

Frequency of testing :

• A single RT-PCR/TrueNat/CBNAAT/RAT positive test is to be considered confirmatory, without any repeat testing.
• No re-testing is recommended prior to discharge from a COVID-19 facility after clinical recovery (please refer to MoHFW guidelines), including for transfer from a COVID area/ facility to a non-COVID area/ facility.
• If symptoms develop following a negative RAT test, a repeat RAT or RT-PCR should be done (Algorithm for interpreting RAT is placed at Annexure 1).

Points to be noted:

• WHO case definition for ILI: Individual presenting with acute respiratory infection with
• WHO case definition for SARI: Individual presenting with acute respiratory infection with history of fever ≥ 38◦C AND cough with onset within the last 10 days AND requires hospitalization.
• All healthcare workers and frontline workers coming in contact with suspect/confirmed COVID-19 patients should ensure use of appropriate PPE.

Home quarantine for 14 days is recommended for all individuals before undergoing elective surgery to minimise chances of infection before the procedure.

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