More than 2 lakh RT-PCR testing of Covid samples have been carried out at the Pt JLN Medical College in Raipur.
“By December 25, 2.1 lakh Covid samples had undergone RT-PCR testing at the college. RT-PCR is the most reliable method for Covid testing. So, the government is stressing on RT-PCR testing,” Commissioner Health and Special Secretary Health C.R. Prasanna said in a press release on Saturday.
Covid testing at the virology lab of Raipur Medical College started on April 14 with just 22 RT-PCR testing capacity. Currently, the lab is testing 1,500 samples every day, the release said.
During lockdown, the lab was started amid a steep crisis of consumables. After round the clock efforts of health officials and aid from the Union Government and ICMR, the lab started to function, Prasanna said.
While carrying out sample testing, eight persons including a scientist, a lab technician and a microbiologist also tested Covid positive. Despite the odds, the lab team did not stop the testing.
Currently, samples from Raipur, Dhamtari, Balod Bazar and Gariaband are tested there.