BACOLOD City – Health authorities here could soon perform more tests for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The United Laboratories (UNILAB) recently turned over a reverse transcription-polymerase chain Reaction (RT-PCR)-based laboratory to The Doctor’s Hospital Inc. (TDHI) in this city.
TDHI president Noel Antenor Cruz said the total output of each 8-hour shift will be from 100 to 150 tests, yielding around 300 to 450 tests at full capacity of three shifts.
City Administrator Em Ang said the modular biosafety laboratory is the first of its kind in Negros Island and outside Metro Manila.
“The laboratory is modular, transforming a shipping container van into a multi-room laboratory suite which meets the international guidance for biosafety level 2 and certifiable by the Department of Health for clinical testing of human specimens,” said Ang.
Ang further said the facility – to be fully operational by June – will gave authorities a better chance at fighting the viral illness while still waiting for the vaccine.
“RT-PCR testing is the preferred mode of testing for detection of COVID-19 cases. Tests are an essential part of our struggle to contain the coronavirus pandemic,” the city official added. “With the bio-containment modular lab to be established in Bacolod City, more of the much-needed COVID-19 testing can already be done here.”
There are at least four other biosafety laboratories being developed in this city through partnership between the government and the private sector.
The Level 3 Biosafety Laboratory at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital will be operational early next month.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Red Cross Negros-Bacolod Chapter is developing another independent COVID-19 testing facility.
The Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital is also awaiting accreditation to use the GeneXpert machine for COVID-19 testing./PN
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