Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing machines, used for detecting coronavirus infection and other complicated diseases, reached Khulna Medical College Hospital (KMCH) and Sylhet's MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.
KMCH Director Dr ATM Manzur Morshed said it will take one week for the installment of the machine and other relevant works, reports UNB.
Blood, sweat and cough of suspected corona patients will be tested by the PCR machine, he said.
The local administration initiated a process to collect samples of suspected infected people from their homes, said Civil Surgeon Dr Sujat Ahmed.
Besides, 30 beds have been prepared in Khulna Diabetic Hospital for the isolation of coronavirus infected patients, he said.
Two people have been admitted to the isolation unit of KMCH, Dr Sujat said.
Meanwhile, Director of MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital Brig Gen Md Yunusur Rahman said the PCR machine and other equipment arrived in the hospital around 8:30am on Monday.
“We are expecting that it will possible to set up a lab within a week and tests will be carried out here,” he said, adding that doctors will be trained.
A new patient has tested positive for COVID-19 in Bangladesh in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 49 on Monday. Bangladesh has so far confirmed five deaths.
The global death toll climbed to 33,993 on Monday.