India’s Testing Strategy for COVID-19 – An Epidemiological Perspective

Abstract

India has responded to the current pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in terms of systems development,
capacity building, upgrading infrastructure along with highest political support, including implementation of testing for
COVID-19 as per Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines. However, the strategy, which was earlier restricted
due to several reasons has now been gradually scaled up and modified as per requirements of the country. The paper attempts
to evaluate the testing strategies in place with an epidemiological perspective. Newer testing modalities of feces, saliva and
radiological testing hold promising evidence and need validation for effective utilization. India must deploy the tests in hand
rationally for the control of pandemic. Testing for COVID-19 must address resurgence of local outbreaks currently, provide
immunity certificates and intelligence on epidemic evolution in long-term.