New Delhi | Jagran News Desk: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Monday issued a revised advisory to the state governments regarding Rapid Antibody Blood tests, asking them to stop using Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics kits.
"States are advised to stop using these kits procured from the two companies (Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon Diagnostics kits) and return them to be sent back to the suppliers," the ICMR said in a statment while adding that the rapid antibody tests showed a wide variation, which is against the assurances given by the manufacturers.
"In view of this, states are advised to stop using these kits procured from the above-mentioned companies and return them to be sent back to the suppliers," the ICMR added.
Also Read | Delhi High court caps price of COVID-19 rapid test kit at Rs 400
The statement came several states raised concerns over performance of tests during the exercise that they undertook.
In another statement, the ICMR said that it advocates the swab RT-PCR test for the virus as "it is the best way to test and identify the COVID positive case".
Meanwhile, the government has also cancelled the order from the two Chinese companies, Guangzhou Wondfo Biotech and Zhuhai Livzon, saying that "not a single rupee has been lost."
"It needs to be stressed that ICMR hasn't made any payment whatsoever in respect to these supplies. Because of due process followed (not going for procurement with 100 per cent advance amount), government doesn't stand to lose a single rupee," the government said in a statement.
Recommended For You
Also Read | 'No cases reported from 85 districts in last 14 days, recovery rate in India is 22.17%': Health Ministry
ICMR had provided rapid antibody test kits to states with clear instructions that they are to be used only for surveillance purposes.
It advocates that RT-PCR throat or nasal swab test is the best use for diagnosis of COVID 19. The test detects the virus early and is the best strategy to identify and isolate the individual.
Earlier this month, ICMR had asked states to stop using rapid antibody test kits for COVID-19 diagnosis for two days until they are validated again.
(With IANS inputs)