Dhaka, July 2 -- Nearly four months have gone by since the detection of the first case of novel coronavirus in the country on March 08 last. Yet problems concerning the issue of covid-19 tests have not subsided.

The number of Covid tests continues to be very low. Though the number of facilities conducting tests has increased to more than 60, their actual output remains highly unsatisfactory---the total number of tests done daily is yet to cross the 20,000-mark in a country with a population of over 160 million. The test coverage now is said to be nearly 463 for every 100,000 people.

Health safety measures such as social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing of masks are important to stave off infection, but testing is also equal...