Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), commonly known as 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has been declared a pandemic by World Health Organisation. It has been almost two years, yet there has been no respite worldwide as a newer variant of the virus keeps emerging.
Mumbai in India, one of the top cities of covid-19 cases, is struggling to contain the little virus. The RT-PCR test in Mumbai has increased with patients coming in large numbers in diagnostics, laboratories, and hospitals in Mumbai. This makes many prone to infected samples. The fear of spread always looms large. The safety precautions for health professionals while conducting RT-PCR tests in Mumbai are as important as covid-19 protocols for the general public. With the surfacing new variant, Omicron, having an immensely higher transmissibility rate, it becomes more important to practice precautionary actions and perform RT-PCR tests in Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur, or anywhere safely.
Let us look in detail about the covid test, risks, and safety precautions for Omicron
RT-PCR Test
The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test is a nucleic acid-based test that is considered the gold standard to detect coronavirus and is used globally. The test aims to look for the genetic material of the virus that will help determine its presence and viral load in the body. A conventional PCR test takes about 6-8 hours to give the results.
RT-PCR test in Mumbai or anywhere worldwide detects the presence of the actual virus’s genetic material. If the result is positive, it will help the patient act timely and get isolated to start the right treatment. It is the most reliable, proven, and accurate test used worldwide to detect infection in the body.
Procedure
The procedure of the RT-PCR test is simple, non-invasive, and quick. However, as it directly deals with the potentially infected sample, major caution is needed and taken only by medical professionals.
The test requires nasal and throat swabs of the patients. Person conduction the test will insert a long stick with a soft brush at the end over the tongue of the patient, push it deep in the throat, twirl to collect the secretions, and put it inside a solution before closing the container with a lid securely. Similarly, another stick with soft bristles will be inserted in the patient’s nose through one of the nostrils, push it down, and taken out. It will then be safely put in the solution and sealed. These samples will go to the laboratory for further procedures.
Safety Precautions For Health Professionals
- WHO has provided safety guidelines for health carers in Mumbai, Delhi, and the rest of the cities in India, while conducting the RT-PCR tests. These areas are below:
- Always wear a three-ply surgical mask while entering a patient’s room with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.
- Use a particulate respirator at least as protective as an N95, European Union standard FFP2, or equivalent, when performing or working in settings where aerosol-generating procedures, such as non-invasive ventilation, tracheal intubation, tracheotomy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and bronchoscopy are performed.
- Mask should be placed carefully, ensuring it covers the mouth and nose completely.
- Avoid touching the mask while wearing it.
- Avoid the use of cotton cloth masks.
- Refrain from using mobile electronic devices when not required.
- Keep electronic devices sufficiently away from where they could not get contaminated.
Safety Precautions For Public
- By following the WHO and government-laid covid-19 guidelines, the public, in general, can keep themselves and the community safe. Below are a few things to follow:
- It is essential to get yourself fully vaccinated. It may not provide a surefire shield to protect a person from getting infected, but vaccines are proven to build a strong immunity that helps the body fight pathogens better.
- Maintain a social distance. Irrespective of infected cases going up or down in your area, continue to create a social distance to mitigate the spread.
- Always wear a mask when going out or meeting someone. It surely acts as a protective layer that not only helps control the spread of the virus but also keeps you safe from dirt and pollutants.
- Make a habit to maintain hand hygiene. There is strong proof that most of the spread occurs due to touching. Being conscious of your hand touch and keeping it clean and sanitized can go a long way to keep you away from the contagious spread.
- Do not ignore any signs of sickness, especially the common symptoms of Omicron and previous variants of SARS-CoV-2 such as weakness, throat pain, fever, chills, etc. Consult a doctor immediately. Get yourself isolated as long as the symptoms persist.
- Get yourself tested. It is one of the best ways you can help the community. With more testing, laboratories can go ahead with more sequencing to determine the nature of variants. This data further helps in developing effective vaccines and medicines. So, if you or anyone nearby show any signs of general symptoms, get an RT-PCR test in Mumbai, Jaipur, or any city of residence as early as possible.
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