Odisha gets third COVID-19 testing centre

Sambad English Bureau Published On : Mar 31, 2020 at 3:45 PM Updated On : Apr 1, 2020 at 7:29 AM

Jharsuguda: Following the Odisha government’s requests for more COVID-19 testing centres in the State, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) today gave its nod to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack to test blood samples of suspected cases of COVID-19. This was informed by Health Minister Naba Das today here.

With the new testing centre at SCB, the number of COVID-19 testing facilities in Odisha increased to three. Earlier, the ICMR had approved the Regional Medical Research Centre (RMRC), Bhubaneswar and AIIMS, Bhubaneswar to test samples of persons with suspected symptoms of COVID-19.

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Official sources said the State government is in the process to take steps to start test units at another two medical colleges.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik requested the Center to allow the SCB Medical College and Hospital to test the blood samples of the suspected cases.

This apart, during a discussion with Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan over phone yesterday, the Odisha Health Minister asked for permission to Burla Hospital, MKCG, Berhampur and other private organisations to test blood samples of the suspected cases.

Das said the Union Health Minister has assured him to consider the demand in coming days.

The Odisha Health Minister held talks with CARE Hospital and Vikash Hospital authorities at Jharsuguda Collectorate at around 11.45 am today on establishment of a COVID-19 hospital in the district.

In Odisha, 473 samples were tested till March 31, 2020. Of them, three samples have been found positive for the deadly virus so far.