High-tech lab expanded, mobile testing deployed

Since the new cluster of COVID-19 infections emerged in Beijing, high-tech measures have been adopted in the city to make nucleic acid testing more efficient and convenient.

On June 27, the capital’s first air-inflated testing lab, Huoyan, which translates as “fire eye”, added seven more film chambers, taking the total to 16.

“Compared with traditional laboratories, an air-inflated nucleic acid testing lab can be built very quickly. It takes only 50 minutes to inflate a film chamber,” said Liu Xin, one of the staff members in charge of the lab.

“The lab features a modular design and can be upgraded to respond to the latest situation regarding an outbreak.”

Daily nucleic acid testing capacity has been expanded to 100,000 samples, with all 16 chambers in operation.

Situated in Beijing’s Daxing district, the lab features a highly efficient air filtration system, meaning that people outside a chamber do not need to wear protective clothing.

On June 28, two mobile nucleic acid testing vehicles were used for the first time in Beijing — in Xicheng and Chaoyang districts — to increase testing efficiency and improve working conditions for medical professionals.

Use of the vehicles from the Foton Motor Group allows city residents to be tested near their community or workplace. There is sufficient room in each vehicle for four groups of medical staff members to take samples at the same time.

In addition, each vehicle is equipped with an air-conditioned rest area for workers.