During Covid, Sayaji Hospital evaluated over 3 lakh RT PCR test samples; on average, 350 test samples arrive every day for testing.
During the pandemic, the state-of-the-art microbiology lab in Sayaji hospital, Vadodara, made significant contributions to the testing of Covid samples. From March 2020 until the 20th of this month, the department received almost three lakh samples for RT PCR testing.
The lab is administered by the Department of Microbiology and led by Dr. Tanuja Javadekar, the Dean of Baroda Medical College and the department’s chief professor. The state government has given the state the cutting-edge technology and instruments needed for accurate testing.
The facility of testing Covid samples was launched in this lab on March 23rd, 2020, according to Dr. O.B. Belim, Nodal Administrative Officer and Associate Professor of Covid Treatment. During this time, a total of 3,01,868 samples got analyzed. Both RT PCR and Rapid testing get done at Sayaji Hospital’s Covid OPD. This lab tests samples from tests performed here and at other government health facilities. 
Daily, more than 350 samples get analyzed on average. Fortunately, all samples examined after December 3rd, 2021, resulted as negative. Between the 14th and the 18th of December, this facility evaluated an average of over 800 corona test samples, which is noteworthy.
From the 1st to the 20th of December, a total of 11,738 RT PCR samples were examined in the Microbiology Lab, with all of them proving to be negative.
According to Dr. Belim, Amratben of Ranu village in Padra taluka was sent to Sayaji on March 23, 2020, and was the first patient to have an RT PCR test, which was negative.
Written by:
Shristi Chatterjee
