The PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) Tests conducted to detect COVCID-19 patients in Sri Lanka passed the 60,000 mark and a total of 63,935 PCR Tests had been done by May 30 (Saturday), Health Ministry sources said.
The total number of PCR Tests done on May 30 is 1,727, while 1,330 PCR Tests were done on May 29 and 1,713 done on May 28.The highest ever number of PCR Tests per day, totaling 1,998 was done on May 23.
Health experts said the PCR Test is the Gold standard to detect COVID-19 patients fast and (shortly after getting infected) and accurately. At the moment a total of 20 laboratories perform PCR Tests in Sri Lanka. The main laboratory is the Medical Research Institute (MRI).
In the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, only the Sri Lanka (MRI) and the laboratory in Pune, India had COVID-19 testing labs in the region. Sri Lanka then increased the testing capacity to 20 laboratories, the sources said.