Hyderabad: Amid 49 Covid-19 cases reported in Andhra Pradesh, govt hospitals in Hyderabad are seeing a rise in enquiries for RT-PCR tests, though Telangana has reported no Covid-19 cases so far.
Doctors at Osmania General Hospital (OGH) and Niloufer Hospital said people seeking tests include travellers, those with mild respiratory symptoms, and attendants of elderly or immunocompromised patients.
At OGH, an elderly man who reported loss of taste after travel was advised to undergo an RT-PCR test despite having no fever or other typical symptoms. Others with sore throat, cough or fever have also enquired about testing, while attendants of elderly patients have sought tests as a precaution. Niloufer Hospital has also received enquiries from pregnant women but refers them to OGH as it lacks RT-PCR facilities.
OGH superintendent Dr Rakesh Sahay said around 30 RT-PCR tests have been conducted over the past two months, with Niloufer referring a similar number of patients. “None of the samples tested positive, but whenever we have a doubt, we recommend testing,” he said, adding that testing is done only on clinical advice based on symptoms or travel history.
Area hospitals, basti dawakhanas, primary health centres, Fever Hospital and Niloufer Hospital are referring suspected cases requiring RT-PCR tests to tertiary care centres.
Director of public health Dr Ravinder Naik said routine Covid testing is unnecessary in the absence of outbreaks or clusters. “Covid-19 is now endemic. Testing should be limited to patients with influenza-like illness, severe respiratory symptoms, or those linked to suspected clusters. Others should continue preventive measures, especially while travelling to states reporting higher case numbers,” he said.
He added that the health department is closely monitoring the situation and has found no evidence of local transmission in Telangana.
The increase in enquiries comes days after the state health department issued a fresh advisory urging people to remain vigilant, maintain hand hygiene, wear masks in crowded places and healthcare settings, and for elderly people, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses to seek medical attention early if they develop respiratory symptoms.
