Four more test positive for COVID-19 in Ladakh, tally crosses 50-mark

Four more people tested positive for coronavirus in Lakh even as first COVID-19 testing laboratory was inaugurated by parliamentarian Jamyang Tsering Namgyal on Monday, officials said.

state-of--art bio-safety level 2 (BSL-2) laboratory was set up at Chushot Yokma and is first molecular laboratory in region, which will be used for testing HIV, Tuberculosis, Swine flu, and Hepatitis-B after COVID-19 pandemic is over, y said.

With dition of four patients, who are from Kargil district, total number of COVID-19 cases in union territory has reached 52, officials said.      However, 43 of patients have alrey recovered and discharged from hospital, while condition of all remaining 10 active patients – nine in Kargil and one in Leh -- is stated to be “stable”, y said.            

While three of latest cases tested positive on Sunday, ar Kargil resident who h returned from Jammu recently and h given his sample before returning to his home town tested positive on Monday, officials said, ding all four have been isolated at a COVID-19 hospital at Kargil.

Meanwhile, District Magistrate, Leh, Sachin Kumar Vaishya has issued an order regarding scaling down of containment zones.              

“Due to n-reporting of any COVID-19 positive case after pass of 28 days from Bogdang containment zone, containment shall w be restricted only to Gunesthang vill of bra Sub-division with immediate effect till furr order," Vaishya said.

"Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Nubra shall make immediate necessary arrangements to de-contain rest of area,” Vaishya, who is also Chairman District Disaster Manment Authority, said in order.

Congratulating people of Lakh on getting first of its kind COVID-19 testing laboratory, Namgyal termed it as a milestone in history of health care services particularly in fight against coronavirus in region.

re is a long-term plan of upgring it to test genetic disease, cancer markers and research.

 Namgyal hailed special support to Lakh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan by taking an immediate decision in Union Cabinet meeting for setting up of a COVID-19 laboratory in UT.

"This achievement is result of repeated support from UT Lakh ministration heed by Lt Goverr R K Mathur and Council heed by CEC Gyal P Wangyal,” he said.

MP also appreciated team of doctors and lab technicians and specially mentioned Professor of Bio Chemistry at AIIMS, New Delhi Kunzang Chosdol's approach for coming forward to render her expertise for people.            

Expressing gratitude to test centres in New Delhi for testing all samples of Lakh, he said that new laboratory would be used for extending assistance beyond boundaries of Lakh, if need arises.            

Director Health Service, Lakh, Phuntsog Angchuk, said laboratory is completed in all respects and all test standardisation is successfully completed.         

“Reporting shall be done after permission from ICMR in a few days. As much as 20-30 tests will be conducted in initial days which will grually increase with proficiency as well as increase in number of staff,” Angchuk said.

With four technicians, who h been trained in Chandigarh recently, and two doctors on board, Chosdol said her team is determined to serve people with dedication and zeal.