DAK calls for extensive COVID-19 testing

Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Tuesday urged health authorities to intensify testing for novel Coronavirus across Kashmir.

“We need to be aggressive in testing,” said DAK President DrNisar ul Hassan, in a statement. “The key to prevent spread of the disease isearly detection of cases and that is by way of extensive testing.”

   

Based on data, Dr Hassan said most of the cases of the novelCoronavirus – around 80 percent were mild and they do not turn up and gounreported.

“We need to find them and test them. If we don’t expandtesting, how can we say there is no community spread,” he said. “Not onlywidespread testing will effectively reduce the risk of transmission of thevirus in the community, but it will also save lives.”

He said under the new guidelines, anyone with symptomscompatible with the new Coronavirus qualifies for diagnostic testing dependingon the doctor’s judgment.

Dr Hassan said the testing should be prioritized forhospitalized patients, elderly and those with underlying medical conditionslike heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, chronic lung disease andcancer.  “It is vitally important thatdoctors use personal protection equipment while taking samples from suspectedpatients,” he said

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

5 × 5 =