China to give Bangladesh testing kits, protective gears

China would provide Bangladesh with about 10,000 coronavirus testing kits, 10,000 medical protective clothing, 15,000 medical masks and one thousand infrared thermometers at the earliest.

The Embassy of China in Dhaka informed the foreign ministry in a diplomatic note on Thursday about the handing over of the consignment, diplomatic sources said.

The Chinese authorities would deliver the medical logistics at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka at the earliest.

The Bangladesh government would require making  arrangements for local transportation and storage of the test kits at a temperature of about 5 degree Celsius and protection from light, officials said.

The test kits should be utilised in laboratories with a biosafety level of P2 (protection level 2) or above.

The Chinese government said improper operation during the storage and transportation and the use of the test kits may affect the test results.

Currently Bangladesh maintains a stock of less than 1,700 test kits, according to the Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research. Bangladesh reported its first COVID-19 death on Wednesday.

Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research director Meerjady Sabrina Flora disclosed the information at a press conference at the institute in Dhaka.

A total of 14 cases of COVID-19 have been reported across Bangladesh.

News Courtesy: www.newagebd.net