Red Cross opens molecular lab in Mandaue City

MANDAUE CITY - To augment the Covid-19 testing capacity in Cebu, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) opened its biggest molecular laboratory in the Visayas which is capable of processing 4,000 real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests daily for coronavirus.

Senator Richard Gordon, “Within 48 hours, lalabas proved their request for their chairman and chief executive ang result. Makakatulong kami installation. These clinics that officer of PRC, led the recent sa buong Cebu kasi sabay-sabay need air-conditioned tents inauguration of the P38-million na kami magte-test. Bibilis lahat are temporarily located at the 207-square-meter laboratory ng testing dito,” he said, noting Cebu Medical Society building, in Barangay Jagobiao here. that the laboratory has the biggest Brotherhood gym, Sawang The laboratory is expected to swab testing capacity in the Calero gym, and Tinago gym. ease the backlogs in RT-PCR Visayas and Mindanao. Melquiades Feliciano, who testing in the province, particularly Gordon said the Cebu City is assisting Environment Secretary in Cebu City, which has government would soon have Roy Cimatu in overseeing recently been downgraded to four air-conditioned tents that the city’s Covid-19 response, modified enhanced community would house four cluster clinics lauded PRC’S contribution in quarantine, Gordon said. in the capital city, as he ap- ramping up the city’s testing

The Philippine Red Cross inaugurates a P38-million molecular laboratory in Mandaue City, its biggest in the Visayas, that is expected to ramp up real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction testing capability in Cebu province. (IATF-IED)