Wednesday, July 9, 2025
spot_img

Assam gets 5th ICMR-accredited lab for coronavirus testing

Date:

Share post:

spot_imgspot_img

From Our Special Correspondent

GUWAHATI: Assam now has five laboratories accredited by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to test samples for coronavirus (COVID-19).
State Health and Family Welfare Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that the laboratory at the Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Medical College and Hospital in Barpeta has been accredited by ICMR for COVID-19.
“Happy to inform that Barpeta Medical College laboratory is accredited by ICMR for COVID-19 testing from today. It becomes the fifth lab of Assam to achieve this. This will further enhance our capacity for a much wider community testing, especially in lower Assam,” Sarma said on Monday.
Till date, as many as 448 samples have been tested for the virus across four centres – Regional Medical Research Centre, Lahowal (Dibrugarh), Virological Lab at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital and Silchar Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) – and all the results have come out negative.
Two samples were earlier sent to National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, for testing and found negative.
The minister informed that 4.5 lakh surgical masks were distributed among the frontline staff on Monday to ensure their safety during screening of suspected COVID-19 patients.
“As the supply situation improves, we shall be able to deliver more,” he added.
Sarma also visited the 700-bed quarantine centre being constructed on a war footing at the Sarusajai Sports Complex on Monday and evaluated the preparations there.
The state Health department already has taken a slew of initiatives for COVID-19 preparedness, having dedicated three medical colleges – GMCH, Assam Medical College and Hospital and SMCH – in the state for treatment of persons affected with the virus along with other hospitals in and around Guwahati. Five pre-fabricated hospitals to treat COVID-19 patients are also coming up across the state in the next two months.

spot_imgspot_img

Related articles

LoP Gandhi to address key issues concerning farmers, tribals, women during Odisha visit

Bhubaneswar, July 9: Odisha Pradesh Congress Committee President, Bhakta Charan Das, on Wednesday announced that Congress MP and...

Ravi Shankar Prasad slams opposition over Bihar bandh, alleges pressure tactics on judiciary

New Delhi, July 9: Senior BJP MP and former Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad launched a scathing attack...

Punjab Police foil terror plot backed by Pakistan’s ISI

Chandigarh, July 9: Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said here on Wednesday that the state...

16th Agriculture leadership conclave: Argentina reaffirms commitment to agri-cooperation with India

New Delhi, July 9: At the two-day Agriculture Leadership Conclave 2025, Argentina underlined the importance of its deepening...