Dhaka, April 3 -- Habibur Rahman, the director of management information system at the directorate, said in the online briefing in the afternoon: "We've received instructions from the prime minister [Sheikh Hasina].

"The director general has informed the directors in all divisions of the country that at least two specimens must be sent from every Upazila. At least 1,000 specimens will be tested tomorrow [Friday]," he said.

Habibur was responding to criticisms that the authorities were not conducting enough tests on suspected patients.

Later in the night, Additional Director General Nasima Sultana said in a statement that Habibur's comment on Hasina ordering at least two specimens from each Upazila was wrong.

"In fact, representatives ...