[Dr.Suraj]

I, for one, would be happy to get it done. Better to KNOW about a danger lurking in your body that be blissfully unaware. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Even if I am a ASYMPTOMATIC carrier, I would know I have it and thus, not inadvertently spread it. Plus, after knowing that I have it - 14 days later, I would be able to breathe a little easier (pun intended) and surely could rely a bit more on my anti-bodies for the next 60 to 90 days.

[amods]

I tested positive on 11th October. Was having fever and bodyache since last 2 days so first thing I did was to go to nearest govt health center and try to get tested.

On first day(10th oct) i went, they were not testing in heath center instead told me to follow them to some group testing place they were doing testing and contact tracing. Made me run 2-3 places but eventually test didn't happen.

On 11th, I went again and same procedure followed and I was directed to follow their ambulance-cum-testing van to a field in a village where there was a labour camp and they went to test them.

I insisted on getting tested first and they obliged. I tested positive in Rapid test and was told to go home and isolate and that they've taken sample for RTPCR and would call me in a day or 2.

The test was free.

I got multiple calls and follow-ups since then.

So, whatever it is - if you have symptoms, please get tested ASAP. If asymptomatic, you may call testing guys who take samples from home. I called one private entity to take my wife's sample and they charged 2600 INR.

[anoopGTkrish]

I stay in Bangalore close to one of the hot spots. I developed a mild sore throat last week and decided to get a test done. Visited Sakra's Fever Clinic. The lack of precautions and social distancing at Sakra made me leave the place immediately. I agree with other members here. Unless you have any severe noticeable symptoms testing isn't going to help you much. Would be better to stay at home and isolate yourself till symptoms subside. Next time if I do feel the need for a test, I might look for doorstep testing services.

[am1m]

Am a bit unclear about the 'if asymptomatic, even then get tested' recommendations. If I'm not showing any symptoms at all, how do i know if I'm asymptomatic or just not infected? Do I need to get a test just for that? Doesn't make much sense to me.

Or is it get tested if you think you've been exposed (which is basically anytime you step out of home, or anytime anyone in your house steps out and returns these days ) but are not showing any symptoms, that makes more sense. Right?

What I read online from doctors seems to recommend testing only if you start showing symptoms or if you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive recently.

Edit: I guess if you are in a high-exposure profession, working in a hospital or in a setting where you interact with a lot of people then regular testing also makes sense.

(PS: Before the 'it's your civic duty!' and 'if it's in a government circular it must be so' brigade jumps on me, I'm certainly not against testing, I'm all for testing (pro-test! ). But everything need not be reduced to a binary (pro or anti)- just looking for clarification on when it makes sense scientifically and medically (not driven by emotion or paranoia) to get tested, that's all.)

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by am1m

Am a bit unclear about the 'if asymptomatic, even then get tested' recommendations.

Edit: I guess if you are in a high-exposure profession, working in a hospital or in a setting where you interact with a lot of people then regular testing also makes sense.

This is correct. You should only test when symptomatic unless your work involves other risks.

Originally Posted by am1m

or if you were in close contact with someone who has tested positive recently.

The best course of action if someone who you were in contact with tests positive is to self isolate. This is the purpose of contact tracing. There is a period when you may have contracted COVID but still test negative (this is why the government does two tests separated by a week for incoming travelers and they must pass both).

[RaviK]

Originally Posted by sagarpadaki

..
He was lodged in a govt school ,12 kms from home ,turned into a covid treatment center. There was just 3 feet gap between beds and no partition. A common toilet for 10 patients...

Unfortunately, this does add to people shying away from covid tests. In smaller towns, this seems to be the modus operandi for covid isolation. Got to know from my brother that similar protocols (& conditions) are in place in my hometown and in other rural areas, in Rajasthan.

[mvadg]

Originally Posted by am1m

Isn't the answer obvious to anyone who has been following the news for the past 6 months?!

The level of overreaction by the BBMP, the media, the government (Central and States), local authorities, cops, RWAs, and society in general is the main reason why the stigma is still around covid and testing.

Originally Posted by crdi

1, Fear of getting contaminated while being tested.

2, Your pivate data being used for contact tracing.

3, Enforced hospitalisation in the initial days of the pandemic.

4. Horror stories about inhumane actions by health care workers, right from ambulance drivers to nurses and doctors.

5, Fear of genuiness of the results, like a false positive, which may result in one being shunted to the treatment center full of actually positive cases and subject to all the aforementioned.

6, Commercialisation of the whole medical sector.

7, Overall lack of trust in the system.

Spot on!
Whatever the drawbacks of testing, I am willing to get tested, if I am assured that I will not have to deal with government employees and racketeering private hospitals

Sorry, but given my general experience with the system, I want to have as little to do with it as possible.

So, I think there should be another poll - "Are you willing to get tested for Covid 19 if you are in a first world country with free medical care and a government that genuinely is for the people?"

[am1m]

Originally Posted by mvadg

So, I think there should be another poll - "Are you willing to get tested for Covid 19 if you are in a first world country with free medical care and a government that genuinely is for the people?"

Forget a South Korea or Singapore testing setup. I'd be more than happy to get tested in my Bangalore neighborhood if there were enough testing kiosks around and I didn't have to wait in line with overworked testing personnel taking the swabs. Even now, if I have a good reason to, I will opt for a private test with home collection of the sample. A friend's family got that done and they were happy with the way it was done.

My mom in law went for a test in Mumbai at a famous private hospital. She ended up waiting for 3 hours...sitting indoors with several other potential cases!

Anyway, saw some news that testing kiosks are being planned at malls and other locations in Bangalore. So perhaps we'll get there...eventually.

[DigitalOne]

Originally Posted by am1m

Anyway, saw some news that testing kiosks are being planned at malls and other locations in Bangalore. So perhaps we'll get there...eventually.

As I posted earlier, I saw one empty testing kiosk near Ayyappa temple, Madivala.

The association of the layout in BG road where I have a flat (I don't live there), keeps organizing/informing of the Covid testing camps, but no candidates turn up. Reasons are discussed enough.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by anoopGTkrish

Unless you have any severe noticeable symptoms testing isn't going to help you much. Would be better to stay at home and isolate yourself till symptoms subside.

Are you saying that the symptoms would subside by itself without taking any medications? Even if it was a Covid symptom, though mild.

Can someone share (if you have already done some research) the contact details of some private firms who does the Covid test at home. Just to keep it handy for any emergencies.

[McLaren Rulez]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Are you saying that the symptoms would subside by itself without taking any medications?

Yes, precisely!

Or to put it another way, there is no specific treatment for COVID. Barring serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing or a dangerously high fever (at which point you should, of course, seek medical help), the main thing to do if you have symptoms is to stay at home, isolate yourself from others and rest.

[balenoed_]

Originally Posted by amods

So, whatever it is - if you have symptoms, please get tested ASAP. If asymptomatic, you may call testing guys who take samples from home. I called one private entity to take my wife's sample and they charged 2600 INR.

Could you please share the private entity details (either by a direct PM). And how are you doing now?

[Torq]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Could you please share the private entity details (either by a direct PM). And how are you doing now?

I got tested via the at-home testing facility from Golvilkar/Metropolis. They charged me 2500/- and the result was emailed to me by night.
Tested at 0930, got a negative response email at 2230 hrs.
AFAIK, they aren't available all throughout the country. A possible Google search may reveal more service providers in your area.

This was done proactively because I was showing signs of fever and sore throat, and I am an Orthodontist, so high-risk profession.

Edit: the person that came to take swab was wearing double mask, PPE kit (that was worn and fitted properly) and maintained proper protocol as far as i understand. He took two swabs, oropharyngeal and Naso pharyngeal.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Can someone share (if you have already done some research) the contact details of some private firms who does the Covid test at home. Just to keep it handy for any emergencies.

I heard from someone that Clumax Diagnostics does it in Bangalore and they sent their folks to the person's home. Please check, in Bangalore I've seen their outlets in New Thippasandra and Jayanagar.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Can someone share (if you have already done some research) the contact details of some private firms who does the Covid test at home. Just to keep it handy for any emergencies.

A friend's family called SRL Diagnostics who sent a person home to collect samples for testing.


Edit: Let's hope this new paper-based test makes testing easier and more widespread:

"Explained: FELUDA paper strip test for coronavirus"
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/sc...le32835460.ece

"India-developed Covid-19 paper test that experts say could be a game changer set to hit the market"
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/so...changer-set-to