VRDL gets IVR nod for COVID-19 tests

VARANASI: National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune on Friday granted permission to Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) of IMS-BHU’s microbiology department for testing of samples of suspected cases of coronvairus.

NIV, Pune sent a communication to the VRDL head and noted microbiologist Prof Gopal Nath in this regard.

A microbiologist at the laboratory said that NIV Pune sent a sample of suspected case of coronavirus for the testing to the VRDL for quality control testing and standard of the laboratory. He said Prof Nath and his team of microbiologists tested the sample and sent the findings to the NIV, which found them perfectly accurate.

The microbiologist said that the NIV also found VRDL’s standard perfect for the testing of the samples of suspected coronavirus cases. For testing of samples of suspected cases of Coronavirus, NIV sent an approval to VRDL on Friday noon.

Prof Gopal Nath said, “Yes, we have received an approval from the NIV, Pune for testing of the samples from the suspected cases of coronavirus. We are ready and equipped for conducting tests of such samples.”

Prof Nath said that the facility would really be very helpful in this region of the country, if any such case came to the fore.

If any suspected case of the coronavirus is reported in 16 districts of the region the health department or hospitals may collect the samples and send them to the VRDL for tests.