The test for detection of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection of suspected patients began today at the COVID-19 Laboratory installed at the Department of Microbiology of Rangpur Medical College (RMC) in the city.

“After getting samples of 42 suspected COVID patients from Rangpur division by Thursday, we began the testing process this morning,” Head of the Department of Microbiology of RMC Associate Professor Dr. Mostakimur Rahman told BSS today.

The 42 suspected COVID-19 patients include 32 males and 10 females from all eight districts of Rangpur division.

“If the testing process of collected samples like throat swabs, blood and sweat and cough from suspected patients and machineries run smoothly, we can get the positive or negative results within the next five to six hours,” Dr. Rahman said.

Talking to BSS, Principal of RMC Professor Dr. AKM Nurunnabi Laizu said, “We prepared the COVID-19 Laboratory by installing the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machine by Wednesday after receiving the same from the IEDCR a few days ago.”

Later, the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR) sent necessary kits, 96 well plates and other inputs to successfully conduct experimental testing of COVID-19 infection at the laboratory yesterday.

“Earlier, experts and specialists of the IEDCR provided training to the physicians, technologists and technicians concerned before going to official testing of COVID-19 infection at the laboratory,” Professor Laizu added.

Civil Surgeon of Rangpur Dr. Hirombo Kumar Roy said trained technologists are collecting samples under supervision of the Civil Surgeons, Superintendents of District Sadar Hospitals and Surveillance Immunization Medical Officers (SIMO) of the World Health Organisation (WHO) at the district levels.

“Later, the collected samples are being sent to the COVID-19 Laboratory at RMC from across Rangpur division for testing using the PCR machine following the international standard and guidance of the IEDCR to get accurate results,” Dr. Roy added.

Focal Point of the COVID-19 Laboratory and Lecturer (Virology) of the Department of Microbiology at RMC Dr. MA Aziz said testing of the collected samples of 42 suspected COVID-19 patients at the laboratory continues smoothly on the first day today.

“The COVID-19 Laboratory at RMC has a capacity to test samples of 94 suspected patients at a time using 94 well plates and keeping two well plates for displaying results of COVID-19 positive or COVID-19 negative,” he added.

He said tests of the collected samples will be conducted at a time once a day at the COVID-19 Laboratory and results will be informed locally and also be sent to the IEDCR and higher authorities concerned.

Meanwhile, the 10-member Divisional Coronavirus Service and Prevention Task Force with RMC Principal Professor Dr. AKM Nurunnabi Laizu as its Chief, is working ceaselessly to assess the COVID-19 and coordinate action plans to face the situation.