Burla: The COVID testing laboratory and the Department of Microbiology of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR) here in Sambalpur were closed for three days starting Sunday.
The VIMSAR authorities took the decision after a laboratory technician tested positive for COVID-19.
Sources said, while technicians were conducting RT-PCR testing at the COVID-19 testing centre here, one of the technicians developed COVID symptoms. Saturday, he was found to have been infected by the virus.
Following the detection, the head of Department of Microbiology announced the closure of the COVID-19 laboratory and the department from August 30 till September 1.
According to the VIMSAR authorities, there will be no RT-PCR test at VIMSAR COVID-19 laboratory for three days owing to the closure of the laboratory. The samples will be therefore sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack. However, the antigen test will go on as usual at VIMSAR.
Notably, Sambalpur district Sunday reported 102 fresh cases of COVID-19, taking the district’s tally 2,745. Of them, while 1,806 patients have recovered from the disease, 925 are still undergoing treatment. The deadly disease has so far claimed 14 lives in the district.
PNN
