Detection test of coronavirus (COVID-19) is expected to start in Rajshahi on Wednesday as installation work of a separate regional laboratory is on the final stage, reports BSS.
The laboratory has been being installed in four rooms of the Department of Virology in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital (RMCH) as the requisite equipments including the machine for Polymerase Chain Reaction testing, widely known as PCR, has already been set up.
Professor Dr Khalilur Rahman of the Department of Medicine in RMCH said a 30-member technical team headed by Prof Dr Sabera Gulnahar, Head of the virology department, has already been formed to run the laboratory properly.
He said the team members were imparted training on online and the
technicians and engineers coming from Dhaka will also train the team members practically.
Prof Rahman said sample testing of around 6-7 patients could be possible everyday on an average and the result can be found within 8-12 hours after the test.
Prof Sabera Gulnahar said necessary kits and chemicals for testing the
virus were reached from Dhaka. “We are very much hopeful about starting the testing works tomorrow,” she hoped.
RMCH Director Jamilur Rahman said the hospital received a fresh supply of 2000 Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), 2000 masks, 2000 hand-gloves and enough sanitizers for the doctors, nurses and other paramedics.
He said various need-based measures have been taken to strengthen the RMCH aimed at preventing the coronavirus outbreak in the region.
The RMCH’s 30 Number Ward is being prepared for treatment of the potential infected patients, he said, adding around 200 patients can be given treatment in the ward simultaneously.
He said there are some additional advantages like 16 ICU and eight HDU beds in the ward which will be very much helpful to cope with any emergency situation.