The Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) on Thursday confirmed 12 new coronavirus cases.   Dr Iqbal Kabir Jahid, director of Genome Centre and Chairman of Microbiology Department, confirmed the development.   “Among the new patients, six are from Chuadanga, two from Kushtia, one from Meherpur, two from Jashore and one from Magura,” he said.   Jahid said they tested 204 samples from seven districts at their lab in the last 24 hours till Thursday noon.   Samples, mostly from the districts under Khulna division, have been tested at the JUST lab for the last six days.   Although all the districts of Khulna division confirmed Covid-19 cases, Jhenaidah did not report any case.   Bangladesh has so far confirmed 3,722 coronavirus cases and 120 deaths.  

The Jashore University of Science and Technology (JUST) is testing coronavirus samples collected from seven districts in Bangladesh’s south eastern region.   “We’re conducting tests at Genome Centre at the university since Saturday,” said the centre’s assistant director Prof Dr Md Iqbal Kabir Jahid.   Samples collected and sent by civil surgeons from Jashore, Narail, Jhenidah, Magura, Kushtia, Chuadanga and Meherpur are being tested here, he said.   Prof Iqbal said they tested 104 samples since Saturday at the centre and none of them was positive.   The test results of 99 samples received from seven districts on Monday will be available on Tuesday, he added.   Directorate General of Health Services provided 400 testing kits through Jashore civil surgeon’s office, said Prof Iqbal.   “We’ll be in crisis soon as we only have 197 kits at hand right now,” he said.   Jashore Civil Surgeon Dr Sheikh Abu Shahin said he has not been informed about shortage of testing kits, but will send the requisition on the demand for kits to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research (IEDCR).   Bangladesh has so far confirmed 2,948 coronavirus cases and 101 deaths.    Citing the situation of Bangladesh, Additional Director General of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) Prof Dr Nasima Sultana on Monday said, "We’re in a great crisis.”