SAN JOSE, Antique – Today, Antique province’s pioneering P19-million molecular laboratory will be inaugurated here.
It will also start analyzing specimens – using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) machine – for possible presence of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The molecular laboratory is located at the Angel Salazar Memorial General Hospital (ASMGH).
According to Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, the Department of Health (DOH) has issued the laboratory a license to operate.
“The long wait is over. Now, Antiqueños need not go to Iloilo for a very expensive RT-PCR test. Maka save kami time,” Cadiao told Panay News.
An RT-PCR test costs around P4,500.
“We have a plan nga librehon daad ang Antiqueños kon magpa-RT-PCR test kon kaya sang province,” said Cadiao.
She thanked Antique congreswoman Loren Legarda for helping follow up with DOH the laboratory’s license to operate.
Construction was actually completed in March yet. Then its staff was assembled for rigorous training.
The molecular laboratory has the capacity to process at least 300 specimens each day.
As of June 8, Antique had 340 active COVID-19 cases, data from the Antique Provincial Health Office showed. The death toll was at 77 while 1,260 cases have recovered./PN
