A laboratory for testing the coronavirus finally opened in Taunggyi, located in southern Shan State.

Dr Thuza Chit Tin, head of the state health department, told SHAN that other hospitals and clinics could send specimen swabs to the lab at Sao San Htun Hospital. “We will test swab samples two days a week. If we have more samples, our lab will be open more days.”

The doctor said the lab in the Shan State capital can test 100 samples at a time.

Another laboratory in Lashio, located in northern Shan State, is currently under construction. Dr Nyan Myint, head of Lashio Public Hospital, expects it to be operational by December.

Both facilities received donations by Ngwe Aung Gabar Gem Company. 

Prior to the Taunggyi lab opening, all tissue samples collected in northern Shan state were sent to the lab in Mandalay.

Dr Myo Tun, Shan State’s minister for social welfare and the official spokesperson for a state committee for the prevention of COVID-19, told SHAN it will cost about 280 million kyat ($212K) a month to operate both of the new labs.