‘Sri Lanka has conducted 100,000 PCR tests thus far’

(FASTNEWS | COLOMBO) – Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi says 100,000 PCR tests have been carried out in the country thus far to identify coronavirus cases.

The Minister speaking at the opening of the state-of-the-art laboratory at the Colombo East Base Hospital, that will see 500 PCR tests conducted daily, said the possibility to conduct 100,000 tests is a commendable feat.

The Minister said PCR tests were conducted under the advice and directives of the President without any shortage.

The Health Minister noted that COVID-19 has been contained in the community, while acknowledging that research is being conducted to determine the spread of the virus.

The Minister claimed that existing laboratories can conduct only 300 PCR tests daily. She said the state-of-the-art laboratory can test 96 samples within two hours while the report will be released within four hours.

The Health Minister claimed that if required, nearly 1,000 tests can be conducted at the Colombo East Base hospital following the installation of the new machine.

She added that the government will continue to provide all necessary equipment to conduct PCR tests and contain the spread of the novel coronavirus in the country.

Minister Wanniarachchi said the Rs.250 million project, funded by the Asian Development Bank, contains an Automated Sample Extractor.