Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) facility will be made available in the state’s prime referral healthcare institution- GBP hospital by February next year.
While announcing this in a press conference on Friday, Information and Cultural Affairs minister Sushanta Chowdhury said the tender process has already been completed for installation of the machine.
“Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) is the test method for identifying Omicron cases; the facility is not available in the state at present. Now, the samples are sent to the Kalyani laboratory and the tests are done. The facility will be made available in GBP hospital by February next year,” Chowdhury told the media.
Once the WGS facility is made available in the state, it would reduce the time for receiving reports of sample testing,” Chowdhury said.
He made an appeal to all to obey the guideline while celebrating Christmas and New Year. The state government would take strict action to ensure use of face cover, sanitizer and social distancing, he said.
According to Chowdhury, there is no need to worry but the people need to take extra precautions to stay away from Omicron.
He said, “Samples of 33 among 69 persons, who came to Tripura from abroad recently, were sent to Kalyani laboratory for genome sequencing. The reports of 31 samples were negative while the results of the two remaining samples are awaiting.”
He said Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb and Chief Secretary Kumar Alok chaired two separate meetings to review the preparations of dealing with omicron. The meetings were held soon after the Centre asked the states to be alert on the Omicron developments, he said.
Additional Secretary Anindya Bhattacharjee, Managing Director of NHM Tripura- Siddharth Shiv Jaiswal and State Surveillance Officer Dr. Deep Kumar Debbarma were also present in the meeting.