Gov. Arthur Yap revealed that the provincial government has procured a “containerized” polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory.
He revealed this development in his statement delivered in a press briefing on Friday, June 12, 2020 at the Capitol.
He said the new containerized PCR laboratory, which is a mobile laboratory, will arrive in Bohol within two (2) weeks.
Furthermore, the containerized PCR laboratory is expected to be operational either in the middle part or last week of July 2020, the governor bared.
The governor also said that the province cannot wait for the molecular laboratory inside the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH).
He added that the province has “targeted ingresses and egresses” coming through the province’s major seaport and the Bohol Panglao International Airport (BPIA).
COST
The Bohol Tribune asked the governor about the cost of one set of containerized PCR laboratory. The governor said, the cost is a little over P20 million.
The containerized laboratory is a set consisting of one 40-foot containerized lab and a 20-foot containerized lab that go together, the governor told The Bohol Tribune.
Additionally, the governor said that the containerized PCR lab will operate for 24 hours with a daily output capacity of 300 test results.
The main advantage of the containerized PCR lab is that it is mobile, the governor explained.
At this time, the plan is to put the containerized PCR laboratory in Tagbilaran City, while waiting for the GCGMH molecular laboratory to open, the governor mentioned to The Bohol Tribune.
GOLD STANDARD
Dr. Jefferson Ong, president of the Bohol Medical Society (BMS) in a separate interview said the PCR test is the gold standard when it comes to diagnosing a person for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is responsible for Covid.
The PCR test detects the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Ong explained.
On the other hand, medical experts say a rapid antibody test or even the new chemiluminiscencee principle bioassay (CAB), which is also an antibody test, detects only the immunoglobulin M and G or the presence of antibodies the body produces when battling a viral infection, and not the virus itself.