The provincial government’s containerized polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory changes the game as far as determining the extent of the coronavirus disease (Covid) situation in the province is concerned.
On Thursday’s, August 27, 2020, during a virtual presser, Bohol Inter Agency Task Force (B-IATF) spokesman Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez said the new PCR laboratory of the province paired with the molecular laboratory inside Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) changed the game as health authorities are in a better position to evaluate the Covid situation in Bohol.
Lopez added the two (2) laboratories enabled the health authorities to engage with swab tests and get faster turnaround of results and determine the extent of infection in areas of concern here in the province, such as the case of the islands of Malingin and Guindacpan all located in the second district of Bohol.
As a result of better determination of the situation, authorities are able to provide the appropriate response to the situation.
Without testing capabilities, Lopez said that there could be hidden infections which will lead to bigger health problems such as widespread virus transmissions.
On Monday, August 24, 2020, the containerized PCR laboratory of the provincial government was blessed and after two(2) days, it was given a go-signal to start its operations after obtaining a license to operate from the Department of Health.
Prior to the issuance of the license to operate, the laboratory passed with flying colors on its proficiency test as administered by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.
According to sources, the almost P20 million containerized PCR laboratory can process almost 100 swab samples in eight (8) hours.
Moreover, the new laboratory compliments the molecular laboratory inside the GCGMH, which was operational starting August 4, 2020.