Bhubaneswar: In the wake of spike in the number of coronavirus cases across the country, the Odisha Government has urged the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi to allow COVID-19 testing at MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur in Ganjam district.
Currently, Odisha has three testing facilities at the Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar, AIIMS, Bhubaneswar and SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack.
Besides MKCG Medical College, the State Government has also requested the apex medical body to permit COVID testing at VIMSAR Burla and IGH Rourkela.
“Indian Council of Medical Research New Delhi has been requested to allow COVID testing at MKCG MCH, Berhampur, VIMSAR Burla and IGH Rourkela. Orders have been placed to procure additional kits for testing at least 50000 samples in near future”, the Department of Health & Family Welfare said.
The State Government is also planning to set up two more COVID-19 laboratories, one at the VIMSAR, Burla and the other at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, said an official.
Earlier on Wednesday, the State Government urged the Centre to provide more protective gear and medical equipment including testing kits and ventilators to fight the deadly virus.
Although, Ganjam district has reported no positive case of COVID-19, but all necessary arrangements have been made by the administration to deal with the situation.
A special ward has also been opened in the MKCG Medical College & Hospital in order to provide treatment to coronavirus patients in isolation.