With the number of coronavirus cases at 1,484,136, India is currently the third country with the highest number of virus affected patients. In recent times, the majority surge has been found in residential areas. In order to curb this, the BMC has now planned to use mobile X-ray vans to screen residents of these containment areas. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has procured 10 X-ray mobile vans to detect abnormalities in the chest, which would identify the presence of Sars-Cov-2-the virus that causes COVID-19.
These X-ray machines will be synced for analysis with the radiology department of King
Edward Memorial (KEM) Hospital, Panvel. Deputy municipal commissioner, BMC, Ranjit Dhakane, said, “When a person gets screened with an X-ray machine, the X-ray plates will automatically get synced with the radiology department of KEM Hospital. So, there is no need to manually take the reports to the hospital. Doctors from the hospital can easily access all the reports of the patients across the city.”
If the person’s X-ray report raises concern or suspicion among doctors, he/she will be further tested through a rapid antigen test or RT-PCR test. These vans will be visiting residential complexes with the highest number of coronavirus cases.
“We have received quite a success in identifying patients with the pathogen of coronavirus at Covid-19 jumbo centers and slums. Now, we will use the same technique for residential areas in containment zones,” said Suresh Kakani, additional commissioner, BMC.
According to doctors, Sars-Cov-2 affects the lungs of patients. Hence, X-rays may help in identifying the virus earlier. The radiological screening of lungs helps in distinguishing Sars-Cov-2 from other respiratory infections.
China being the center host of the coronavirus disease first began using X-ray machines to detect suspected patients. They further installed these machines in all the fever clinics in the country.
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