11 July 2020, 11:39 am
Covid 19 : CM PS Golay Inaugurated Rapid Antigen Testing Centre at Rangpo
This article has been preserved from The Voice Of Sikkim historical news collection and reflects information available at the time of its original publication.
Covid 19 : CM PS Golay Inaugurated Rapid Antigen Testing Centre at Rangpo
Gangtok, July 11(IPR): The Rapid Antigen Testing Centre for Covid-19 at Rangpo Screening Centre was inaugurated by Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) today.
The Chief Minister was briefed in detail about the protocol for Antigen Testing, by Principal Secretary, Health, Shri. K. Shrinivasulu and officials of the Health Department. The Chief Minister took a detailed stock of the screening centre and interacted with the health workers deployed in the facility.
As informed by DG cum Secretary Health Dr. Pempa T. Bhutia, the Rapid Antigen Testing is a new category of tests for the diagnosis of Covid-19 in the Country which has been approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The Rapid Antigen Testing is an easy and faster method to detect Covid-19 cases and can provide results within 30 minutes.
With this inauguration, Sikkim becomes one of the first States in the country to start Antigen Testing for Covid-19.
Dr. Bhutia further informed that the Rapid Antigen Testing will be done on returnees upon their arrival at the Screening Centre at Rangpo from today onwards. If any of the returnees test positive, they will be immediately sent to the Isolation ward of STNM hospital, Gangtok. The returnees would be asked to wait until results come out so that they can be assessed and advised on further protocol. It was also informed that the Army and the paramilitary forces will also be tested and if their reports come out positive, they will be returned to their designated quarantine centres in West Bengal.
The function was attended by? Speaker SLA, Shri L. B. Das, Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr. M.K. Sharma,? Minister for Transport Department Shri Sanjit Kharel, Political Secretary to HCM Shri Jacob Khaling, Principal Secretary Health and Family Welfare Shri K. Shrinivasulu, DG Cum Secretary Health Dr Pempa T. Bhutia, Secretary to HCM Shri. S. D. Dhakal, DC East, SP East, officials from health and other concerned departments and host of other dignitaries.