Gangtok: With over 2,739 active COVID-19 cases in Sikkim, the state government has now decided to conduct rapid antigen tests (RAT) at COVID-19 hotspots. The workforce currently deployed at the Melli check-post and Pakyong Airport will be utilised for testing at these hotspots.
Since Rangpo was not notified, the check-post in East Sikkim district will continue to carry out RAT on site.
The government has notified COVID-19 hotspots mostly in East Sikkim, with 2,823 COVID-19 cases reported in the district since April 1. The other three districts combined have accounted for 1,107 cases since April.
Pakyong Airport is still welcoming passengers to the state despite road borders being sealed. The state government notified, “All passengers arriving at Pakyong Airport will be required to produce RT-PCR negative reports of tests conducted within 48 hours prior to their arrival. In case they don’t come with the report, they will be compulsorily put under paid quarantines as notified by the district officials.”
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Meanwhile, the health department has notified that RT-PCR tests will not be repeated on any patient who has tested positive once either on RAT or RT-PCR.
Further, no testing will be required for COVID-19 recovered individuals at the time of hospital discharge.
The need for RT-PCR testing on healthy individuals undertaking inter-state domestic travel may be completely removed to reduce load on laboratories, notified the state health department.