Over 1 lakh COVID-19 tests done in Maharashtra: Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra has achieved a milestone of conducting 1 lakh COVID-19 tests so far. Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray while addressing the state on April 26 shared that 1,00,912 samples had been tested in the state as of 25th April 2020 10:00 am. He also assured that the state is on track in its fight against the coronavirus.

Out of the 1,00912 tests that have been done in Maharashtra, 52,085 were conducted in private labs and the rest in the government labs

Aaditya Thackeray too had tweeted about the state achieving a major landmark of doing over 1 lakh COVID-19 tests. Aaditya Thackeray is the Cabinet Minister of Tourism and Environment Government of Maharashtra and he mentioned that more the tests, more people can be identified and that will lead to better safety for citizens.

Crucial landmark for Maharashtra, the state crossed 1 lakh tests last night. More tests= more cases identified= more safety for citizens.
We are doing everything we can and everything we must for the safety of all!
Data: @Maha_MEDD report published everyday pic.twitter.com/YSmweOA5aR

— Aaditya Thackeray (@AUThackeray) April 25, 2020

On Friday, Maharashtra has also received permission from the Centre for conducting pool tests. With the help of Pool testing, an entire batch or batches of samples instead can be tested in one go instead of just one. It is expected that through the adoption of pool testing, the state will be able to conduct 10 times more tests.

In addition to this, the state has also started plasma therapy. On Saturday night a man in his 50s became the first patient in Maharashtra to receive this treatment. The COVID-19 patient is undergoing treatment at Lilavati hospital, Bandra and has been given blood components and is being observed for further observation.  

So far only two people have come forward to donate blood for the plasma therapy in the state. From the blood donated, the doctors have been able to extract 3 units of plasma. The biggest challenge for Mumbai would definitely be getting the required plasma to treat the patients.