Odisha to ramp up COVID-19 tests from next month

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Government is all set to ramp up COVID-19 testing from next month.  For this, new testing labs will be set up in Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Angul, Puri and Kalahandi,  informed Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Director Ajay Parida.

Speaking to mediapersons, Parida further said it is targeted to conduct at least 5000 tests everyday. While the number of tests will be increased at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack,  Regional Medical Research Center (RMRC) and ILS here, around 150 to 200 samples will be tested at seven medical colleges and hospitals in the state.

The ILS Director said antizen and antibody tests will be conducted in the state soon, for which 50,000 kits have been ordered for procurement. Testing through the kits will begin next week. Besides, serological  survey will be conducted in places like Puri, Ganjam, Gajapati, Bhubaneswar and Badamba-Narasinghpur, Parida added.

He further said, “There is no community transmission of the virus as of now but we have to  very careful in coming days, ”

Regarding extension of lockdown, Parida said the state Government will take decision in this direction.