Mizoram health minister R. Lalthangliana on Wednesday said the state government was trying to install a coronavirus-testing laboratory (virology lab) at the newly-established Zoram Medical College (ZMC) in the state.

He said a detailed project report had been submitted to the National Centre for Disease Contol (NCDC) and the department of health research for installation of the lab.

“The state government is making massive efforts to install a virology laboratory at the ZMC under the initiative of chief minister Zoramthanga,” he told reporters here.

Biosafety level 3 laboratory and other important equipment need to be installed along with the coronavirus testing laboratory, he said.

Lalthangliana said seven blood samples have been sent to the GMCH. Six of them tested negative while the result of one is awaited.

He said the ZMC has been designated as state-level isolation hospital for the virus.

He said the state government was expediting screening along the inter-state and international borders, including Lengpui airport.

Lalthangliana said the state government had a stock of 342 personal protective equipment kits, 993 N95 masks, 1,300 triple-layer masks, 415 viral transport mediums, 49 thermocol boxes and 100 pairs of surgical gloves. He said the government would put up hoardings for awareness about coronavirus.

He said the government was allowing only transportation of essential commodities from Myanmar.

State health principal director F. Lallianhlira said 41,761 people had been screened till Wednesday.

So far 10 samples have been collected for testing, he added.