The newly opened P20-million polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory testing center in Bataan will be operational 24 hours a day and can conduct up to 200 tests daily. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
BALANGA CITY –– Local officials on Thursday launched the P20-million polymerase chain reaction (PCR) laboratory testing center for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients.
The testing center is located inside the Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) in this capital city, which has been converted exclusively into a referral center for COVID-19 patients.
The center, which was approved by the Department of Health, can conduct between 100 to 200 tests daily and yield results in two to three days.
Bataan Gov. Albert Garcia said the center would provide immediate service to residents in the province since it would be working 24 hours a day.
Mariveles Mayor Jocelyn Castañeda said the center would allow the local government to do mass testing.
“If we’ll have this mass testing, we can see the clear picture of the pandemic. It’s really hard to say that there is no local transmission of the virus if only those who are symptomatic are being tested,” Castañeda said.