BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – The provincial government of Negros Occidental changed its protocols for the submission of reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The Provincial Health Unit detected several issues that hampered the reporting of COVID-19 results in the past few days, explained Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, provincial administrator.
He lamented that some local government units (LGUs) failed to submit on time specimens of suspected COVID-19 patients to the Teresita Lopez Jalandoni Provincial Hospital (TLJPH) molecular laboratory in Silay City.
There are even LGUs, according to Diaz, that endorse swab samples for testing 48 hours after extraction.
The molecular laboratory has three RT-PCR machines and three automatic extractors. Its testing capacity is 150 tests per day to 1,300 samples daily.
Samples collected from all 31 cities and municipalities in Negros Occidental, and also from Bacolod City, are being processed in the testing facility.
To facilitate prompt submission of swab samples, Diaz said the TLJPH set up a receiving area and LGUs are no longer required to submit swab samples to the Provincial Health Office in Bacolod City.
LGUs are mandated to submit specimens within 24 hours after extraction. They shall also coordinate with three designated individuals prior to the delivery.
The acceptance of specimens at the molecular laboratory is from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
All case investigation forms are also to be submitted via email.
As of Thursday, the province had a total of 6,156 COVID-19 cases, 631 of which are active, 5,385 recovered and 137 died./PN
