Covid mess: Man who had not even given swab sample gets message to isolate himself

BENGALURU: In a repeat of the mess during the first and second waves of Covid-19, a man who has not even given his swab sample for test, received a text message on his mobile phone saying he had to isolate himself at home, on Wednesday.

Prajwal, a Bengaluru resident, was notified on Tuesday that an RT-PCR sample had been collected and was advised to remain isolated until the sample report was tested. He was shocked to see the message even though he did not give a swab sample. He expressed outrage that the government is faking the testing numbers for money and also questioned what should be done if he tested positive for Covid without giving a swab test.

Random Covid test conducted at PHCs.

In a telephonic conversation with Public TV, Prajwal said, “I was in office when I received a message about the RT-PCR sample collected. I have not given any Covid samples and it’s been four months since I even visited a hospital. The government is completing its target by sending these kinds of messages. I had done the Covid-19 test eight months ago in the previous wave. I think they are scamming with the mobile number I gave before during the Covid test”.

The BBMP has also directed PHCs to do 50 RT-PCR tests and 50 random Covid tests in a day.

The health officials clarified that the message was sent from a private lab and not from the BBMP lab. The officials also mentioned that they have checked with all the BBMP labs about the message.

Meanwhile, medical experts have recommended conducting 10,000 Covid tests in a day in all parts of the state. The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) officials have been directed to do at least 5,000 Covid tests in a day in all eight zones. In some of the primary health centres, they have started to do compulsory Covid tests. The BBMP has also directed PHCs to do 50 RT-PCR tests and 50 random Covid tests in a day.