ZCZC
BSS-27
COVID-19-TEST-RANGPUR (with picture)
53 more samples tested to detect COVID-19 in Rangpur
RANGPUR, April 7, 2020 (BSS) – A total of fifty three more samples collected from suspected coronavirus (COVID-19) patients were tested today at the COVID-19 Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology of Rangpur Medical College (RMC) in the city.
“After testing the samples for the third time today, we have sent the results to IEDCR,” Head of the Department of Microbiology of RMC and Superintendent of its COVID-19 Laboratory Associate Professor Dr. Mostakimur Rahman told BSS at 4:50 pm.
Earlier, samples of 42 suspected COVID-19 patients collected from different districts of Rangpur division were tested for the first time on last Friday, while samples of 27 suspected patients were tested on Monday at the COVID-19 Laboratory.
“The samples — which contain throat swabs, blood and sweat and cough — of suspected patients are being collected from across Rangpur division for testing at the laboratory,” Dr. Rahman added.
Focal Point of the COVID-19 Laboratory and Lecturer (Virology) of the Department of Microbiology at RMC Dr. MA Aziz said the laboratory has a capacity to test samples of 94 suspected patients simultaneously using 94 well plates once a day.
The COVID-19 Laboratory was set up at RMC by installing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine after receiving the same from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) last week.
“We began official testing of the collected samples of suspected COVID-19 infected patients from last Friday at the laboratory, maintaining international standards after getting kits, well plates and other inputs from the IEDCR,” he said.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr. Md. Amin Ahmed Khan told BSS that the samples are being collected from the district and upazila levels of all eight districts under Rangpur division.
“The Civil Surgeons, Superintendents of District Sadar Hospitals and Surveillance Immunization Medical Officers of the World Health Organisation are strictly monitoring and supervising the sample collection process at the grassroots levels,” he added.
BSS/MI/ARS/1859 hrs