Periye: Amidst the surging number of COVID-19 cases in the country, Central University of Kerala has emerged as a shining example with its outstanding service to society during the pandemic. COVID-19 tests being conducted in the campus have crossed 1 lakh, say reports.
As of yesterday (Tuesday), 101429 RTPCR tests were conducted at the university. Permission for testing sap was approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on March 30 last year. Samples collected from various primary, community and family health centers, district hospital and special camps in the district are being tested here. The test is performed in a virology lab under the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
With the increasing number of COVID cases, an average of 1,200 tests are being conducted per day in the university, said Dr. Rajendra Pilankatta, Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. There are also days when the number goes up to 1700, he added. The university has a 24-hour virology lab that works in three shifts. Test results will be uploaded on the state government's portal.
In addition to Dr. Rajendra Pilankatta, faculty member Dr. Sameer Kumar, Lab Technicians Arati M., Krijith M V, Suneesh Kumar, Rupesh K., Roshna Ramesan, Veena, Lab Assistants Jithin Raj V., Shahul Hameed Simsar, Data Entry Operators Muhammad Rizwan, Nikhil Raj, Sachin M P, research students Prajith, Vishnu, Rajesh, Manoj, Ashwathi, Lathika, Ranjeet. Ashutosh and Anjali are also in the group.
It is for the first time in the country, a central university is leading COVID-19 tests in a region. The activities are being conducted with the overwhelming support of Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu. Earlier, the state government had also lauded the services of the university during the pandemic.
advanced virology lab to be set up, says Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu
As the number of COVID-19 cases surges in the country, the Central university of Kerala will continue its efforts to fight against the pandemic, said Vice-Chancellor Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu. He said that an advanced virology lab is being set up for the testing and research of viral diseases.
The University is also collaborating with the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi to study the genetic variation of the virus. About 300 samples are being sent to the institute every month as part of this, Prof. H. Venkateshwarlu added.
Two vaccine campaigns were conducted and staff were immunized in collaboration with State Health Department and district authorities. Covid 19 monitoring committee has been constituted to review the situation on we