Negros Occidental to soon have own testing laboratory for new virus
By: Carla Gomez - @inquirerdotnetInquirer Visayas / 07:49 PM April 18, 2020
CEBU CITY — Negros Occidental will soon have its own testing laboratory for the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, which causes the highly contagious respiratory ailment COVID-19.
Former Rep. Alfredo “Albee” Benitez said the Department of Health (DOH) has informed them that the TB testing facility at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH ) in Silay City, is capable of handling the new coronavirus tests.
“We are the only ones that have a negative pressure room that can accommodate testing of even airborne viruses,” he said.
Benitez, now a consultant of the Negros Occidental provincial government, said the equipment was calibrated and that they are waiting for DOH’s approval for the laboratory to start testing COVID-19 specimens.
“We are working hard on it. Once it is operational, the province can conduct more COVID-19 tests faster,” he said.
Swab specimens of persons suspected of having COVID-19 are currently being sent to a DOH laboratory in Iloilo which conducts tests for the entire Western Visayas.
@senso for A BETTER BACOLOD
Ang isa sa akon mga handom para sa Bacolod.
Ako ang kapitan sg sini nga barko. Indi ini magkadto sa wala ukon sa tuo, kundi derecho sa direksyon sang pagbag-o sang gobyerno para sa kaayuhan sang Bacolodnon.
