Chitwan, April 6 : A COVID-19 laboratory established on the premises of Bharatpur-based National Avian Disease Investigation Laboratory has come into operation from Sunday when the country is struggling to deal with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.    
It was inaugurated with Bharatpur metropolis mayor Renu Dahal handing a swab sample to a technician team. Local representatives, State Assembly members, district-based political leaders and the chief district officer were present on the occasion.    
On the first day of its operation, only a sample test was conducted. On the occasion, mayor Dahal said the establishment of laboratory was possible within 72 hours with support and cooperation from all quarters. Earlier, a temporary corona hospital was built in the town. According to the mayor, now the town is availed of COVID-19 test facility and it would obviously help get test results sooner, making the treatment procedures more effective.    
Bharatpur Hospital chair Dr Bhojraj Adhikari expressed his hope that the operation of COVID-19 laboratory would contribute in the efforts meant for the prevention, containment and treatment of novel coronavirus. The laboratory remains under the ownership of Bharatpur Hospital.    
The laboratory workforce consists of 20 pathologists and technicians. It is claimed that it is so far the second higher level laboratory in the country after the Teku-based National Public Health Laboratory. It has the capacity of testing 90 samples in a single shift. A plan has been mooted to extend its capacity so that 900 tests could be conducted in a day, it is said.