SRL Diagnostics launches drive for COVID-19 sample collection

A patient giving sample for COVID-19 testing at drive through sample collection site of SRL Diagnostics in Jammu.
A patient giving sample for COVID-19 testing at drive through sample collection site of SRL Diagnostics in Jammu.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 28: In an effort to protect healthcare workers and promote social distancing, SRL Diagnostics – one of India’s leading diagnostics chain commenced COVID-19 drive-through sample collection site in Jammu today.
The drive-through site is located at 28-C, 2nd Extension, Opposite Power Grid Corporation, Gandhinagar, Jammu Tawi and the bookings can be made using SRL Diagnostics’ dedicated phone lines 9797344402 and 0191-2479435/39 or SRL website https://www.srlworld.com/covid-19.
Sharing details about the recent initiative, Anindya Chowdhury, Regional COO – North & East, said, “As the country is coming out from the lockdown, social distancing is still being advised as one of the key ways to battle the disease and drive-through testing can help in maintaining this while ensuring detection in a timely manner. We already have our drive-through sites operational in Gurgaon, Chandigarh and Mumbai. After receiving a positive feedback from the patients in these cities, we thought of replicating this model in Jammu now”
The drive-through procedure is simple, the patient remains in the passenger seat – next to the driver or in the left rear seat, the nasal/throat swab sample is taken through the car window – the entire process (drive-in entry to exit) takes about five to ten minutes. This sample is then sent to the SRL Reference Laboratory in Gurgaon (approved by ICMR) for testing under temperature controlled conditions as specified by ICMR. The report will be released within 48 hours of sample collection.
“The nation currently is grappling with the COVID-19 pandemic and we stand by the Government in fighting this battle together. Extensive testing coupled with proactive social distancing and the ongoing lockdown will help to curb the spread of this virus”, Chowdhury added
The documents required for the testing entails a duly filled ICMR form by a qualified physician, doctor’s prescription seeking COVID-19 test and the patient’s Aadhaar Card. All documentation will be collected and verified over electronic medium prior to fixing up the appointment time for the sample collection.