TO EFFECTIVELY conduct its expanded targeted testing program, the City Government of San Fernando, in partnership with GreenCity Medical Center (GCMC), inaugurated Thursday, June 18, its own testing facility for coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The facility is the product the memorandum of agreement entered into by Mayor Edwin Santiago and GCMC president and chief executive officer Hazel Peñafiel on April 14.
According to GCMC Pathology Department head Carmela Reyes, the molecular laboratory that will process the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests for Covid-19 can cater up to 120 samples per day.
“As of now, we are processing around 60 samples per day but we cater can up to 120 samples per day so we can still ensure the efficiency of our testing process,” she said.
Santiago, meanwhile, said that turn-around time for processing of samples is within two days only — much faster than the current system wherein City Government waits for the results from the Department of Health for 14 to 21 days.
He said the facility will be catering to suspect patients of the city, including those who manifest mild symptoms.
“This facility will allow to immediately identify the infected individuals, and isolate and treat them. It will make our contact-tracing more efficient and effective as we can test even those who are asymptomatic,” he said.
Santiago said the City Government shouldered the procurement of RT-PCR machine, test kits and other equipments, while GCMC took charge of the dedicated room and its physical set-up that is compliant to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine standards, and other required documents for licensing and accreditation.
“It is not easy to put up a testing facility like this but we pushed for it because it is the only way that we can protect Fernandinos and defeat the virus,” he said.
Dr. Renely Tungol, officer-in-charge of the City Health Office, meanwhile, said that a spike in Covid-19 cases in the city may be expected in the coming days as all suspected cases will finally be tested.
She stressed that the possible rise of cases must not cause alarm among public as it only indicates that more Fernandinos are being tested and isolated from the community.
Tungol also urged Fernandinos who manifest symptoms of Covid-19 to immediately coordinate with the City Health Office for testing schedule.
“They can visit our office or call our hotlines so they can undergo counseling before they will be given schedule for testing,” she said.
Discussion about this post