Kohima, April 10 (MExN): Clarifying the misinformation being circulated in various social media platforms, the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland has reiterated that the collection and transportation of samples for COVID-I9 test are done in compliance with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and World Health Organization norms.
Dr Vizolie Z Suokhrie, Principal Director, Directorate of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland in a press release said that the samples are collected using all precautions from the designated district collection centres by trained health personnel. They are packed using triple packaging system and transported in Viral Transport Medium (VTM) at temperature of 2-8 degree Celsius.
“The designated laboratory records the date and time of sample collection and receipt of specimen at laboratory and certifies the quality of the samples sent. Till date, all the samples sent by the State have been certified to be “in good condition” by the designated laboratories. Samples transported as per the above specification can be stored for 48-72 hours,” the Principal Director asserted. He added that for Nagaland, the time taken between sample collection and receipt at laboratory for all samples thus far is within 6 hours. “If there is any reason to delay the testing by the designated laboratory, the samples can be stored at -20 degree Celsius for one week or can be preserved at -70 degree Celsius for extended periods,” he said. “We are thankful to the ICMR designated laboratories at Regional Medical Research Center, Dibrugarh; JNJMS Hospital, Imphal, Manipur; and Guwahati Medical College, that the results of the samples sent from Nagaland arc all received within 24 hours,” Dr Suokhrie added.
