Delhi Minister seeks more coronavirus test labs

New Delhi, March 12
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Thursday wrote to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and urged for increasing the number of laboratories to test suspected coronavirus cases in the national capital.

Jain's demand came after the number of coronavirus cases in Delhi reached six.

With an increase in the load of screening samples collected from suspected cases, 52 test facilities have come up across the country, including two in Delhi.

Indian Council of Medical Research -- the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research -- along with the Department of Health Research has commissioned these laboratories.

Along with these 52 labs, 57 others are helping with sample collection, including one in Delhi.

The number of coronavirus cases in the country has crossed 70, with the largest jump reported on Thursday.