ICMR Approves RT-PCR Kit 'OmiSure' For Detection Of Omicron Variant

The kit developed by Tata is called 'OmiSure' and will be an enhancement for the detection of the Omicron variant.

Medical Team Conducts COVID-19 Coronavirus Test | GETTY

New Delhi: In a breakthrough to make the testing for the new Omicron variant faster, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has given nod to a kit developed by Tata Medical & Diagnostics. The covid kit developed by Tata is called 'OmiSure' and will be an enhancement for the detection of the Omicron variant.

An approval letter by ICMR dated December 30, 2021, said: "The tests have been performed as per the manufacturer’s instructions. Responsibility for batch-to-batch consistency lies with the manufacturer."

ALSO ON ABP LIVE | Weekend Curfew Imposed In Delhi, Buses & Metro Trains To Run At Full Capacity | Check Guidelines

The RT-PCR kit, Omisure, was earlier sent to the ICMR for approval after continued testing. The kit is now the only one in India used to confirm the Omicron variant in patients with its S-Gene Target Failure strategy. 

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, India registered another spike in daily Omicron cases. The country's tally for the highly transmissible strain was recorded at 1,892 cases out of which 766 have already recovered. State-wise Maharashtra with 568 leads the pack followed by Delhi with 382 omicron cases.

Also, India's daily covid positivity rate has reached 3.24%. The country clocked 37,379 fresh COVID cases, 11,007 recoveries, and 124 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Assembly Elections 2022: EC Conducts Meeting To Discuss New Covid-19 Guidelines For Poll-Bound States