Coronavirus testing set to start in Sylhet tomorrow

The laboratory installed at Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital is all set to start coronavirus testing from tomorrow morning.

Dr Himangshu Lal Roy, deputy director of the hospital, told our Sylhet correspondent that the lab is now functional and will start testing from Tuesday morning after receiving samples from the health department.

Earlier on March 30, a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine that is used to test novel coronavirus reached the hospital and was installed at the microbiology and virology laboratory of the medical college.

Since the coronavirus outbreak began in Bangladesh, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) in Dhaka was the only authorised organisation to test suspected Covid-19 patients.

From March 26, three other labs -- two in Dhaka and one in Chattogram -- started testing.

Presently, tests are being conducted at different laboratories in Dhaka, Chattogram, Rajshahi, and Mymensingh while laboratories in Khulna and Barishal are also being installed along with Sylhet.

Dr Md Anisur Rahman, assistant director (disease control) of Sylhet divisional health office, said, "The laboratory is equipped to test 94 samples in one sitting of four hours and will be testing in two sittings daily."

"We haven't forwarded any samples to IEDCR today as all samples, including new collections will be handed over to the laboratory tomorrow," he also said.

The health official, also acting health director in Sylhet division, said, "Family members, neighbours and colleagues of the doctor, who was diagnosed with coronavirus yesterday (Sunday) will be tested for Covid-19 after collecting their samples tomorrow."

"From now on, no samples will be forwarded to Dhaka and we can confirm the test reports daily," he also said, adding that the reports will be forwarded to IEDCR and they will announce those in their regular briefing.