CONRAD DIAS
Ranchi, July 15: The newly set up genome sequencing machine in Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) is not receiving samples of MRNA regularly for testing. The Director of RIMS Dr Kameshwar Prasad said that for the machines to start functioning, it need at least 96 samples at once.
“Since setting up the machine, we have tested around 96 samples so far. Out of these, 83 samples were Omicron strains whereas 3 were delta strains,” the director said.
He added that the genome sequencing machine can test a minimum of 96 samples and a maximum of 384.
Dr Anupa Prasad of the Department of Biochemistry at RIMS spoke to the media and said that since RIMS is the only place in Ranchi to have a genome sequencing machine, samples from different districts such as Palamu, Dhanbad, Bokaro and others will be sent for testing. She gave a few guidelines which should be kept in mind while transporting the samples.
“MRNA is very vulnerable to change in temperature and can get destroyed. So it is important to store it in dry ice while transporting it from one place to another. It should be kept in mind that the temperature should be maintained. It is mandatory for samples which have CT value less than 25,” she said.
She also stated that the rate of testing is quite slow in Ranchi as a result of which they are not receiving samples regularly.
With the spike in covid cases in Jharkhand, the doctors at RIMS have requested people to get themselves tested if there are any symptoms. In this way, the cases can be curbed.
