COVID-19 Report Mismatch: Contradicting Swab Reports By Odisha Govt & Pvt Labs Raise Concerns

Bhubaneswar: At a time when COVID-19 cases are rising at an alarming pace in Odisha, contradicting swab test results by government and private labs have now created a lot of confusion apart from causing mental trauma to the families of the patients.

Massive irregularities in COVID-19 testing has been alleged after a woman from Bhubaneswar was tested positive as per government report, but her swab test reports came negative following tests at a private lab in the Capital city.

As per reports, swab of the woman from Ganapati slum in the Smart city was collected for tests on July 16. Later, Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials on July 22 informed the family that the woman was COVID-19 positive, alleged the complainant.

Not satisfied with the government report, the family members conducted a re-test at a private lab in the city. Surprisingly, the woman’s test report came negative for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, BMC officials could not be contacted over such allegations.

It is not for the first time that irregularities in COVID-19 testing reports have come to fore in Bhubaneswar. Earlier on July 21, some residents in Khandagiri area had alleged that test results declared ‘positive’ by Odisha government found negative following re-tests at a private lab.

As per reports, 42-year-old Chinmay Chand had undergone COVID test at municipality hospital on July 9 and his report came positive on July 14. As Chinmay had not ventured out of his home much, he again went for a re-test at a private hospital and his COVID test report came negative.

Positive or Negative?

Residents of Khandagiri in Bhubaneswar narrate their shocking experience of how their #Covid19 results declared 'positive' by #Odisha govt turned out to be a 'complete fiasco' after both of them tested 'negative' for the virus during a re-test in a pvt lab. pic.twitter.com/Tl8Un7uKb7

— OTV (@otvnews) July 21, 2020

(Edited By Pradeep Singh)

Also Read: Odisha Reports Over 1200 COVID-19 Cases For Third Consecutive Day