Abstract

Introduction: Corona virus belongs to the family of Coronaviridae, in the order of Nidovirales. It is formed by a positive sense single stranded RNA, usually appears spherical with size of 80-120nm and with crown like spikes on the surface. This large family of virus is commonly circulating among vertebrates, such as camels, cats and bats. Novel corona virus COVID-19 has been identified as new strain of corona virus. It can cause viral pneumonia and dyspnea in humans.1 Objective: Objective of this study is to analyse demographic aspect of the number of RTPCR tests performed in the virology laboratory, Department of Microbiology, AIMS, B.G. Nagara for a period of two years i.e, July 2020 To June 2022. Materials and Methods: Nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples collected from patients were subjected for RT-PCR testing using meril kit results were tabulated based based on different demographic profiles. Conclusion: In the present study with the overall data the strain causing the second wave was highly communicable and account for the highest infection rate and mortality. Least virulent strain was Omicron that caused third wave. Positivity rate of our district was highest in the month of May 2021 (11.1%). Positivity was high in the age group of 40 years and above.

• 1.   Meril COVID-19 One step RT-PCR Kit Insert, Meril Diagnostics.
• 2.   World Health Orgaization (2020) Rolling updates on coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
• 3.   Wu YC, Chen CS, Chan YJ(2020) The outbreak of COVID-19: An overview. J Chinese Med Assoc 83:217-220.
• 4.   Aylward, Bruce, Liang W (2020) Report of the WHO-China Joint Mission on coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
• 5.   World Health Organization (2020) International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on novel coronavirus in China.
• 6.   World health organization (2020) Coronavirus disease 2019, situation report 101.14.
• 7.   Rajab Mardani et al, Laboratory parameters in detection of COVID-19 Patients with positive RTPCR; a diagnostic Accuracy Study. Ach Acad Emerg Med. 2020;8(1):e43.
• 8.   Priya Abraham et al, Laboratory surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in India: Performance of testing & descriptive epidemiology of detected COVID-19, January 22 - April 30, 2020. Indian J Med Res 151, May 2020, pp 424-437.
• 9.   Indian Council of Medical Research. Press Release: Note on COVID-19 Laboratory Preparedness in India. New Delhi: ICMR; 6 March, 2020. Available from: https://www.icmr. gov.in/pdf/covid/labs/ ICMR_PressRelease_COVID_19.pdf, accessed on May 8, 2020.
• 10.   Department of Health Research. Establishment of a network of laboratories for managing epidemics and Natural Calamities (VRDL). New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Fmily Welfare, Government of India; 2020. Available from: https://dhr.gov. in/schemes/establishment-network-laboratoriesmanagingepidemics-and-natural-calamities, accessed on May 2, 2020.
• 11.   EX-RNA-MAG RNA extraction kit for RT-PCR Testing(Magnetic beads method) kit insert. Coral clinical systems.

Data Sharing Statement

Funding