.
.
.
.
Language

Coronavirus: India sets up testing facilities in major cities as outbreak continues

Health officials collect a swab sample from a man to test for the COVID-19 coronavirus, at a testing centre behind an open area of a government-run Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, in Hyderabad on July 8, 2020. India on July 6 became the country with the third-highest coronavirus caseload in the world, as a group of scientists said there was now overwhelming evidence that the disease can be airborne -- and for far longer than originally thought.
Health officials collect a swab sample from a man in Hyderabad. (File photo: AFP)

Coronavirus: India sets up testing facilities in major cities as outbreak continues

Followed Unfollow

The Associated Press, New Delhi

Published: Updated:

As India recorded nearly 50,000 fresh cases of the coronavirus, Prime Minister Narendra Modi prepared to launch facilities in three major cities to significantly ramp up testing capacity.

For more coronavirus news, visit our dedicated page.

The 49,931 cases reported on Monday brought India’s tally to beyond 1.4 million. India has the world’s third-highest caseload after the United States and Brazil.

The 32,771 reported deaths from the disease in India, however, mark a far lower fatality rate than in the other two countries.

Modi’s office says the testing facilities that will begin operating on Monday will help authorities track the virus.

They will be put in Noida, a suburb of the capital New Delhi, and in the cities of Mumbai and Kolkata.

Each is capable of analyzing as many as 10,000 tests per day.

India’s chief medical research agency says the country tested about 515,000 samples for COVID-19 on Sunday.

Read more:

Coronavirus: India begins first human trials of vaccine

Indian expats in the Gulf get another opportunity to travel back home on repatriation

Get the latest stories from AlArabiya on Google News
Also Read
Editor's Choice
COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: who’s responsible? COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy: who’s responsible?
Saudi Crown Prince inaugurates housing, medical projects for defense personnel Saudi Crown Prince inaugurates housing, medical projects for defense personnel
Top Content
Profile: Who is Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s next president? Profile: Who is Ebrahim Raisi, Iran’s next president?
Iran’s sole nuclear power plant in Bushehr undergoes emergency shutdown Iran’s sole nuclear power plant in Bushehr undergoes emergency shutdown
US extends COVID-19 travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico land borders through July US extends COVID-19 travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico land borders through July
Saudi Arabia convicts citizen, expat in $1.6 mln money laundering scheme Saudi Arabia convicts citizen, expat in $1.6 mln money laundering scheme
Myanmar’s junta chief arrives in Moscow for security conference Myanmar’s junta chief arrives in Moscow for security conference
Qatar to require fans at 2022 World Cup to be vaccinated Qatar to require fans at 2022 World Cup to be vaccinated
Before you go
Pope calls for reconciliation, healing over Canada school discovery
Pope calls for reconciliation, healing over Canada school discovery
Explore More