Also, the RT-PCR test results may further depend on the exact method of specimen collection and the time from the point of infection to its collection and then analysis. It is also pertinent to consider that several factors are important while interpreting an RT-PCR test. From the infectivity point of view, it can matter, not severity Ct value does not correlate with severityģ. The danger is that such a move would lead to missing several infectious persons and increase disease transmission, according to Dr Balram Bhargava, ICMR’s DG, who has been quoted by IE in its report.Ĭorrelation between a Ct value and severity of diseaseĬiting Dr Parikshit Prayag, consultant for infectious diseases at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune, IE’s report has quoted his insights on the same:ġ. While the ICMR has issued no new advisory, it has informed the Maharashtra government that it is not advisable to use a lower cycle threshold parameter.
The ICMR has indicated the Ct value of 35 based on input that have been taken from several virology labs. Worldwide, the accepted Ct value cut off for Covid-19 is between 35 and 40, subject to instructions from respective manufacturers of the testing equipment. The IE report cites leading virologist Dr Shahid Jameel, Director of Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University as having stated that one can consider Ct value as a measure of transmission potential. Lowering the Ct threshold parameter may lead to missing several infectious persons, according to ICMR. Therefore, a benchmark of 35 means that more patients would be treated as being COVID-19 positive than if the benchmark were 24. Suppose this benchmark is lowered to 24 - which is the value mentioned by Maharashtra in its letter to ICMR while seeking clarity on the matter - it would imply that Ct values in the 25-34 range would not be considered as positive. The lessons you can learn from reviews are important for the success of your restaurant. That’s one reason why it’s important to have many reviews on your review sites: so that customers can read a variety of opinions about your restaurant.
Simply put, if the virus is detected after 35 cycles or prior to it, a patient is considered as positive. Guests will read reviews and make their decisions based on both positive and negative reviews.
The lower the CT value, the higher is the viral load as it also means that the virus has been spotted after fewer cycles.Īccording to the ICMR, a patient is considered Covid-positive if the Ct value is under 35. If a higher number of cycles is required, the implication is that the virus was undetected when the number of cycles was on the lower side. A Ct value refers to the number of cycles after which the virus can be detected. When taking the RT-PCR test, Ct value is taken into consideration. According to the IE report, ICMR had advised that all those patients with Ct value less than 35 may be considered as positive and those with Ct value over 35 may be considered as negative. Given that the ICMR documents indicated different Ct values and divergent views were emerging on the same, the state had requested for clarity on the course of action to be taken with regard to the Ct value.Īfter taking inputs from various virology labs, the ICMR DG responded to the state’s query and wrote to its Health Secretary.