THE molecular biology laboratory at the Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) in Bacolod City will prioritize testing the locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the city.
This was stressed by Vice Mayor El Cid Familiran after they held a familiarization tour at the CLMMRH Level 3 Biosafety Molecular Laboratory Tuesday, July 7, along with Mayor Evelio Leonardia and the city councilors.
Familiaran said the bio lab has different rooms and they were briefed on the process of the swab specimen for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) test.
"It's very safe inside and its medical personnel were wearing different personal protective equipment (PPE) because there were low and high risks areas," he said.
The bio lab will start to operate on July 10 and it can process at least 100 results daily.
"Through the bio lab operation, we can determine the result through the City Health Office and for those who will be tested positive, we can act and decide immediately. Currently, we are sending swab samples to Iloilo City," Familiaran said.
He said they will prioritize testing the LSIs and OFWs because they are now at high risk of Covid-19 and it's for free.
The City Government of Bacolod earlier allotted a total of P20 million for the construction of the bio lab at CLMMRH and to purchase testing kits.
Dr. Julius Drilon, chief of CLMMRH, earlier said the bio lab will diagnose severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2).
Aside from Sars-CoV-2, Drilon said the bio lab can also cater the dengue, tuberculosis, aids test, DNA typing and genomic research.
"But for now, we will dedicate this facility to diagnose Sars-CoV-2 because of the organism of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19). We will be conservatively running it in the first few weeks and probably we can have 100 results per day," he added.
Drilon said the bio lab will cater not only to the residents of Bacolod City but also all the residents of Negros Occidental and even Negros Oriental to ease the burden of Central Visayas.