Guwahati: Molecular Virology Laboratory for COVID-19 testing at BBCI

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: A Molecular Virology Laboratory for COVID-19 testing was inaugurated at Dr B Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati on July 22 by Health Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Sarma stated that this state-of-the-art Molecular Virology Laboratory for COVID-19 testing has all facilities like True Nat two step testing method. First, screening for Beta CoV E gene will be done and further confirmatory tests will be done by Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (SARS-CoV-2RdRP gene) test. Only samples screening positive for Beta CoV E gene will be tested for confirmation. Cancer patients in particular, healthcare workers and the public in general will be highly benefited by this facility.

BBCI Director Dr Amal Chandra Kataki said that so far 140 samples have been tested, out of which, 46 have turned out to be positive in screening or in the first step, and then, 25 turned out confirmatory positive for COVID-19. The institute has also created a 26-bed dedicated COVID ward for cancer patients, so that their cancer treatment is not delayed for mandating quarantine. Till now, 25 cancer patients with COVID-19 have been admitted for cancer treatment and one cancer patient with COVID-19 has been discharged after treatment. A limited facility for institutional quarantine of COVID-19 positive healthcare workers of BBCI has also been arranged with due approval from the Department of Health and Family Welfare. K N Vyas, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India has provided permission for starting COVID-19 testing facility at BBCI as per Indian Council of Medical Research guidelines, Dr Kataki said.

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