Covid-19 positivity rate drops in Karnataka Dharwad district

HUBBALLI: While data shows the rate of infection is declining in Dharwad district, experts caution that it could be due to faulty testing.
Dr Sujatha Hasavimath, district surveillance officer, said the number of people testing positive vis-à-vis samples tested has fallen since October 1. Hasavimath said between October 1 and 7, a total 15,804 samples were tested in the district — more than 2,100 tests per day — but only 798 tested positive.
Health department sources are baffled as to the reasons, but experts suggest it could be because of false negatives.They point out that most of the tests were done using rapid antigen kits, which has an accuracy of 40-60%.
They say more RT-PCR tests, the gold standard to test for Covid, should be conducted and officials should publish the number of RT-PCR tests conducted daily. Another reason for low cases may be the way swabs are collected. They say only ENT doctors or ENT PGs or anaesthetists or students of allied departments can properly collect samples.
Dr Ravindra Gadag, head, ENT department, KIMS, said that while the number of patients being admitted is far lower compared to a fortnight or three weeks ago, it does not mean people should lower their guard. “The infection may spike again as it is a contagious disease,” he said.
Dr Rajshekhar Dyaberi concurred saying, “Numbers are falling, but it is for experts to find out why.”