KHULNA, April 12, 2020 (BSS) – The trained physicians and technicians tested
in five days a total of 127 samples of suspected coronavirus patients at the
COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory of the Department of Microbiology at Khulna
Medical College (KMC), but no positive case was found here.
Focal Point of the COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory and Lecturer (Virology) of
the Department of Microbiology at KMC 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 KMC 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 127 collected samples of suspected COVID-
19 patients here till yesterday,” said Dr. Shahnaz Parvin today.
She said samples of suspected COVID-19 patients are being collected from all
10 districts of Khulna division. “Of the collected samples, 54 were tested on
Sunday and Friday, 39 on Thursday, 24 on Wednesday and 12 on Tuesday at the
laboratory,” she added.
Divisional Director (Health) Dr Rasheda Sultana said, “The samples are being
collected from the district and upazila levels in all 10 districts under
Khulna division”. So far, no positive coronavirus case detected here, she
added.
“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
said.