Goa to set up its own virology lab at GMC: State Health Minister

In the wake of coronavirus, Goa to set up its virology lab at Goa Medical College. In this regard, the state health minister Vishwajit Rane said that a team of doctors would be sent for training to the National Institute of Virology in Pune and will be subsequently posted at the laboratory.

Panaji (Goa): Goa is setting up its virology lab at Goa Medical College (GMC), Vishwajit Rane, state health minister of Goa, said on Tuesday.

"I am happy to announce the setting up of a virology lab at GMC, which has been possible with the help of the Central Government. We have procured the PCR machine through the Malaria Control Center" he said.

At a time when COVID-19 positive cases are increasing in the country, the proposed virology lab will introduce real-time COVID-19 testing.

Rane said, "Real-time testing for COVID-19 will be introduced in a couple of days using the PCR technology."

"This involves the first step of the extraction of the viral RNA in a Level 2 Biosafety cabinet to ensure complete safety to the processing technical staff," he added.

Rane also mentioned that a team of doctors would be sent for training to the National Institute of Virology in Pune, and will be subsequently posted at the laboratory.

The total number of active COVID-19 cases reported so far in the country climbed on Wednesday to 519, with 469 active cases according to Union Health Ministry.

(ANI report)