Our Correspondent
Mokokchung, Aug. 30 (EMN): Five persons were tested for Covid-19 from different quarantine centres in Mokokchung district.
Official confirmed that three cases were detected from two quarantine centres in Mokokchung on August 29 evening. Out of the three cases, two are from Circuit House, Mokokchung, and one from Cool Creek Hostel quarantine centre at Fazl Ali College campus under Chuchuyimpang village. The remaining two cases were detected on Sunday from Multi-Sports Complex quarantine centre.
Dr. Tsipongchem Sangtam stated that the Covid-19 samples testing are conducted at Dr Imkongliba Memorial District Hospital (IMDH) as per ICMR recommendation. He explained that the TrueNat follows two-step tests: step-one i.e. E gene screening assay for all Covid-19 suspect samples.
He added that if it is detected, then step-two is followed for the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) for the confirmatory test in all E gene positives.
Earlier RT-PCT testing was mandatory for confirmation of result, but now RdRp testing is done for confirmation, he said.
The doctor also said that a different cartridge is used in the TrueNat machine for RdRp testing. “We have been testing Covid-19 samples through this process for around two months now,” he said.