Test Positivity Rate

• 15 Apr 2020

Why in News

Recently, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has observed that the test positivity rate had not changed substantially over the last one to two months, maintaining between 3% and 5%.

Key Points

• Test Positivity Rate:
  
  • It is the proportion of positive cases among all tests done.
  • It is taken to be a useful indicator if a substantial section of suspected cases has been tested.
  • It is one among the measures for assessing the spread of an infection.
• From data on tests for Covid-19 and positive cases between 18^th March and 13^th April, it emerges that the test positivity rate in India has been between 1.1% and 4.3% (ratios based on cumulative counts until any date).
• If more people are tested and the positivity rate remains the same, it’s a clue that the infection is where it was and is not expanding.
  
  • A sudden spike in the infection spread would be an alarming concern.

Indian Council of Medical Research

• It is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.
• Its mandate is to conduct, coordinate and implement medical research for the benefit of the society, translating medical innovations into products/processes and introducing them into the public health system.
• It is funded by the Government of India through the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Source: IE