Extending the reach of antigen tests to all frontline workers, the civic body, in addition to conservancy workers, will test police personnel and then move to hospital staff. Based on the expression of interest floated earlier this month for antigen testing, six laboratories have been appointed to conduct the tests at a fixed rate. Apart from Containment Zones, tests will be carried out at large COVID care facilities too.

Tests at police chowkies started on July 25 and until Sunday, out of 1,525 tests, 31 personnel have tested positive. “We have charted a plan to cover 41 divisions of police chowkies and the first phase will be completed by July 29. We are focussing on police officers between 45 and 50 years since that is the vulnerable group,” said a civic official. She added that based on the plan, testing of conservancy workers will end by the first week of August and then health workers, volunteers and NGO workers at COVID facilities will be tested. Until Sunday, 2,443 conservancy workers were tested, out of whom 16 tested positive.