After a teacher of Chittagong University caught a fever with a mild cough, she was rightly concerned, and went to Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) for Covid-19 test last Wednesday.

A staffer collected her sample and asked her to contact them after seven days for the report. When asked why it would take so long to get the report, he could not say anything. "You just have to collect the report after a week," he said.

Like this teacher, many people are worried about not getting the test results in time, while they continue to show symptoms of coronavirus infection.

"As we can't confirm whether it's Covid-19 or not, we don't know what step to take next, or prepare for self-isolation," said the worried father of another suspected Covid-19 patient.

"I have read that the PCR test requires several hours but BITID cannot deliver the report before a week passes," he added.

Testing for coronavirus began at BITID on March 25. It was the only centre for testing at Chattogram at the time, while another testing facility was launched at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) on April 21.

The two centres can test around 260 samples a day. For example, a total of 183 samples were tested in BITID while a total of 83 samples were tested in CVASU on Sunday. The two centres test samples collected from at least five districts of Chattogram division, said sources.

Citizens and heath experts have urged the authorities to increase the number of testing facilities in Chattogram for the sake of patients.

"We collect 300-350 samples a day from five districts but our lab has the capacity of carrying out around 150 tests a day," said Prof Dr Shakil Ahmed, in-charge of BITID laboratory, adding, "We are testing over 180 samples a day and we sent some 80 to 90 samples to CVASU laboratory for testing."

"CVASU does not collect any sample by their own source rather they just test samples collected and prepared by us in their lab," he explained the reason behind the de.

"We have to work under tremendous pressure till midnight in lab," said Prof Shakil, "Still we have around 450 samples in stock. How will we deliver reports in a day or two?"

"But we are now delivering reports in four days on average," he said.

Asked whether the quality of samples would fall if left for days, Prof Shakil said it is true that quality of samples fall gradually but those can be preserved in minus 20 degree Celsius temperature.

"We preserve the sample in standard method and there should be no doubt about the accuracy of the result," he said.

Prof Shakil also stressed on increasing  the testing facilities in Chattogram. "Patients will be benefited if testing starts in Chattogram Medical College (CMC) lab," he said.     

Contacted, SM Nazer Hossain, central vice president of Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), said testing facilities should be increased  in Chattogram immediately to reduce the sufferings of patients.

"We have heard a testing centre is opening in CMC but we  do not know  when it will begin its operations," he said.

Contacted, Prof Shamim Hasan, principal of CMC, said they expected to begin testing on Wednesday but a sudden technical  glitch in their newly installed PCR machine delayed the whole process.

"We hope to fix the technical problem soon and begin testing," he said, adding, "Around a 100 tests can be carried out per day here."

CVASU sent a PCR machine to CMCH yesterday, which is being installed now. CMCH sources said they expect to begin testing with this machine from Thursday.