ILOILO City – Today, this city’s Uswag Molecular Laboratory in Molo district will start processing specimens for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.
Mayor Jerry Treñas said the facility can initially test around 400 specimens a day, and the results may be released in only one or two days.
With its own COVID-19 test laboratory, the city government is seen to effectively curb the spread of the disease. The early release of test results would make it act faster to conduct contact tracing of persons who may have been exposed to confirmed cases of COVID-19.
“Having our own testing center had been a challenge. The region then had a limited number of test laboratories. With the faster release of test results, we would be able to quickly identify and isolate the cases,” said Treñas.
The city government used to bring specimens it collected to the Western Visayas Medical (WVMC) Center sub-national laboratory in Mandurriao district.
Due to the sheer volume of specimens that WVMC was handling, however, it was releasing test results for at least a week after submission.
“Eventually, we would be able to test more specimens to effectively fight this pandemic. We shall also cater to our fellows from Iloilo province,” said Treñas.
For her part, Uswag Molecular Laboratory supervisor Chiqui Blancaflor said, “Gusto namon early detection so that we can treat the sick and maproteksyunan ang komunidad. If healthy ang aton komunidad, mas dasig kita makabangon sa COVID.”
She also clarified that the first operational facility of the Uswag Molecular Laboratory is its COVID lab 2 as the construction of the main COVID laboratory is still ongoing.
“The COVID main lab is bigger than COVID lab 2. Hopefully, someday ma-improve namon ang amon services to include other tests, not just COVID,” said Blancaflor.
The Uswag Molecular Laboratory is a biosafety level 2 laboratory that it can expand its services to include confirmatory tests for dengue, measles, prohibited drugs and even human immunodeficiency virus.
It was inaugurated on Nov. 14.
The blessing was graced by Department of Health Region 6 director Dr. Marlyn Convocar, Office of Civil Defense Region 6 director Jose Roberto Nuñez, Iloilo City’s Cong. Julienne Baronda, among others./PN
