Wayanad panchayat to set up modern lab

Facility will carry out 4,000 RT-PCR tests per day by working in three shifts

At a time when the RT-PCR test results are getting delayed in the district due to dearth of laboratory facilities, the Wayanad district panchayat is preparing to set up a modern laboratory here to avoid the delay . “Now the RT-PCR tests are being conducted at the virology laboratory of the Health department in Sulthan Bathery and a newly set up laboratory of the Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University headquarters at Pookode in the district. But, it would take at least four to five days to get the test results and the delay in getting the results is the major concern of the public,” District Panchayat President Shamsad Marakkar told The Hindu. “Hence, we are planning to address the issue by setting up the laboratory at a cost of ₹50 lakh to provide the test results in 24 hours to the public,” Mr. Marakkar said.