Team Herald
PANJIM: The State government has decided to fast-track its plan to set up its own genome sequencing lab as long time taken by National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune, to identify the COVID-19 variants, could be a worrisome, ahead of the third wave.
Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Saturday said that the government is continuously pursuing with the Centre for having State’s own genome sequencing lab for testing COVID samples.
“NIV is overloaded and not able to give the test report on time. By the time the second wave impact was under control, only then we got the NIV report on the variant,” he said.
Rane added, “Not all heroes wear capes, some wear scrubs. Their selfless service and dedication has helped us immensely in saving lives across the State. We will always be indebted to them. It is indeed an honour to have such great, dedicated and profoundly knowledgeable doctors in the State of Goa.”
