Expat tests ‘unknown’ for Covid-19 in Chattogram

An expatriate in Chattogram has tested "unknown" for Covid-19 after providing his sample for mandatory virus testing before leaving Bangladesh for abroad.

"I collected my virus testing report from Chattogram Civil Surgeon's Office on July 28 evening which to my astonishment came as 'unknown,'" said Tiklu Sen, the expatriate, who had a flight to catch on the next morning.

However, after bringing it to the attention of the officials at the Civil Surgeon's Office, they rectified the mistake.

Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi, civil surgeon of Chattogram, said, "There can be multiple reasons for this kind of mistake. If the sample is not collected properly, it may show the result as "unknown." However, in Mr Sen's case, the server was down. He tested negative for the virus. We provided him with the correct report on July 28 night."

Meanwhile, the expatriates of the region have been suffering while undergoing the Covid-19 testing within three days of the travel date.

As per the government's guidelines, any passengers travelling from Bangladesh must take a Covid-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test by an authorised laboratory within 72 hours of the flight's departure.

The expatriates of Chattogram can only get tested at Chittagong General Hospital by paying Tk3,500.

According to some expatriates, they have to go to the office for three days in a row. Out of three days, the first day is for registration, the second day for providing samples, and the final day for collecting the report. Still, the office is failing to deliver the reports on time. 

"Many expatriates did not get the report on time due to server error. For that, some people have missed their flights. We are trying our best. The numbers of booths have already been increased. Besides, arrangements are being made to provide the virus report quickly," said Dr Sheikh Fazle Rabbi. 

Earlier, at least 40 expatriates from Chattogram could not leave for the UAE as they did not receive the report within 72 hours.