Negative Test Is Not Confirmatory for Novel CoronaVirus
Posted on 10 Feb 2020; 09:00 PM IST. Last Updated: 10 Feb 2020; 09:00 PM IST.Summary: This article illustrates the necessary precautions to be taken, before any conclusions may be drawn out of novel coronavirus (Covid19) testing.
A negative test for a pathogen is generally good news. But unfortunately, "Novel Corona Virus (Covid-19)" could produce several negatives, before yielding a positive result. The Wuhan whistle blower Dr. Li, himself has tested negative several times, before becoming positive. The full details are reported here.
Testing for the virus is improving both in quality as well as in speed. Since researchers and drug industry are racing for new methods and cures, the governments must also adapt quickly, to the latest technologies. Most importantly, testing centers must span across the entire geography of a nation.
Training all these regional centers, and imparting latest technologies, is an administrative challenge, which must be taken up with diligence.
Every country must strive to contain the disease from spreading, until a definitive cure emerges.