ZCZC
BSS-03
COVID-19-TEST-KHULNA (with picture)
39 more samples tested to detect COVID-19 infection in Khulna
KHULNA, April 10, 2020 (BSS) – The trained physicians and technologists tested more 39 samples of suspected coronavirus patients at the COVID-19 Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology at Khulna Medical College and Hospital (KMCH) here yesterday.
Focal Point of the COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory and Lecturer (Virology) of the Department of Microbiology at KMCH Dr. Shahnaz Parvin 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 KMCH by installing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine after receiving it from the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) last week.
“We have already tested a total of 73 collected samples of suspected COVID-19 patients here till yesterday,” said Dr. Shahnaz Parvin.
She said samples of suspected COVID-19 patients are being collected from all ten districts of Khulna division. “Of the collected samples, 39 were tested on Thursday, 24 on Wednesday and 12 on Tuesday at the laboratory,” she added.
“We began official testing of the collected samples of suspected COVID-19 infected patients since last Tuesday at the laboratory, maintaining international standards after getting kits, well plates and other inputs from the IEDCR,” She said.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr Rasheda Sultana said that the samples are being collected from the district and upazila levels of all ten districts under Khulna division.
“The Civil Surgeons, Superintendents of KMCH and Surveillance Immunization Medical Officers of the World Health Organisation are strictly monitoring and supervising the sample collection process at the grassroots levels,” she added.
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