India's Diagnostic Labs Gear Up Amid Fresh Wave of Covid Infections

• RT-PCR testing up 70% amid surge in Covid cases and new variants.
• Labs ramp up capacity with rapid machines, AI tools, and longer hours.
• Experts urge testing, masks, and hygiene as most cases stay mild.

Leading diagnostic chains in India are scaling up operations amid a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases, driven by new variants such as JN.1, NB.1.8.1, and LF.7. According to diagnostic labs, RT-PCR tests have risen by 70 percent as people become more aware of the necessity of timely Covid-19 testing amid divided debates on the topic of booster shots.

India has also crossed the 6,000-mark in terms of active COVID-19 cases, with 358 new cases being reported over the past 24 hours. There is a huge surge in states such as Kerala (1,957 active cases), Gujarat (158 new cases) and Karnataka (57).

Advanced solutions are being embraced by diagnostic labs to keep up with the demand. “To ensure prompt service, we've enhanced our testing capacity, streamlined workflows, and reinforced staffing, even extending working hours. Rapid RT-PCR machines and AI-based analytics have been integrated to reduce turnaround times and now average 4-6 hours for urgent cases,” said Dr. Shelly (Mittal) Mahajan, lab director & clinical lead at Mahajan Imaging & Labs.

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Dr. Pranav Gupta of Apollo Diagnostic noted, “Over approximately the last 2-3 months, we are witnessing a spike in Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) testing by 70%... Timely testing is crucial as it allows prompt intervention and improves one's overall well-being.” While most infections are mild, health experts advise masks, hygiene, and caution in gatherings.