Significance of Ct value in RTPCR tests for Covid 19:
The RT PCR results as of now was giving positive and negative reports but ICMR has advised labs to also report the Ct (cycle threshold) value.
Ct value is the number of cycles required to detect viral antigen.1/

With this value,we can identify high/moderate/low viral load.
Ct levels are inversely proportional to the amount of target nucleic acid in the sample (lower the Ct, greater the number of target nucleic acid in the sample).Lower the value,more the viral load,higher the risk . 2/

Ct<24 are strong positive reactions indicative of abundant target nucleic acid in the sample& high viral load.
Ct of 24-32 are positive reactions indicative of moderate amounts of target nucleic acid.
Ct>32 are weak reactions indicative of minimal target nucleic acid. 3/

So the theory here is that higher the viral load and lower the Ct value,higher is the risk of a cytokine storm.This value could help clinicians decide when to admit patients and start them on therapeutic regimes accordingly, which could help reduce mortality.4/