United News of Bangladesh

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.”