Survey finds most people in Telangana, Karnataka skipped Covid-19 tests despite having symptoms

Merely 5 percent in Telangana and 9 percent in Karnataka opted for RT-PCR tests, while 9 percent in Telangana and 12 percent in Karnataka chose Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs).

The primary reason cited for avoiding testing in both states was that they felt testing was unnecessary as they pursued symptomatic treatments and eventually recovered.

Additionally, 4 percent in Telangana and 7 percent in Karnataka mentioned the expense of RT-PCR tests as a barrier, alongside inconveniences associated with testing.

Some respondents expressed doubt over the accuracy of RT-PCR tests, stating they had undergone the test multiple times, but found the results inaccurate.

The survey had a sample size of 2,000 people in Telangana and Karnataka.

Covid-19: South Indian states report 20 cases of JN.1; 1 more dies in Kerala

Why testing is important?

In the first week of December, Singapore reported over 50,000 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant of Covid-19, prompting a renewed emphasis on wearing masks globally, especially after similar cases were detected in the US, China, and India.

The Union health secretary, on 18 December, urged states to remain vigilant after the detection of the JN.1 Covid variant in Kerala, Goa, and Maharashtra, totalling 63 reported cases across these states.

Identified as Pirola or Omicron subvariant BA.2.86.1.1, JN.1 typically manifested with symptoms like fever, runny nose, sore throat, headache, and in some cases, moderate gastrointestinal issues.

Official records revealed 4,052 active Covid-19 cases in India, with limited sample testing conducted, potentially delaying the identification and reporting of the JN.1 variant, especially regarding severe conditions in certain individuals.

Testing plays a crucial role in identifying and tracking the prevalence of Covid-19 variants within a community at an early stage. By conducting widespread testing, health authorities can detect and monitor the presence of different variants, including their spread and transmission patterns.

Also read: Additional public health risk of JN.1 variant is low, says WHO

Status in India

The survey, which was conducted across the country, found one out of nine individuals refusing tests, but opting for treatment based on symptoms. Other factors contributing to the reluctance to test included cost, inconvenience, and perceived test accuracy issues.

Among the respondents who avoided the tests despite symptoms, 12,137 respondents unanimously cited the reason as “didn’t see any point in testing, we just took treatment based on symptoms and recovered.”

Additionally, some respondents expressed various reasons for not undergoing the Covid test: Seven percent each found it inconvenient, expensive, and inaccurate.

LocalCircles surveyed between 20 November and 18 December 2023, involving over 24,000 respondents across 303 districts in India. Among the respondents, 67 percent were men, and 33 percent were women.

Overall, the survey suggested a significant number of individuals experiencing Covid-like symptoms did not opt for an RT-PCR test, raising concerns about delayed identification of the JN.1 variant.

“There is an increased risk, particularly if the variant leads to severe illness, especially among vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with underlying health conditions,” the survey pointed out.

LocalCircles said that to mitigate the risk, the government might consider testing all incoming passengers from high-caseload countries and providing free Covid testing at multiple locations in every district.

The survey demographics revealed diverse participation across various districts and demographics within India, capturing a sizeable sample of validated citizens registered with LocalCircles.

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