QC virus lab still needs DOH approval

Quezon City government opens a new molecular laboratory to help trace patients infected with COVID-19. /Quezon City PIO

MANILA, Philippines — The first molecular laboratory to help trace COVID-19 patients in Quezon City was opened on Saturday but it will become operational only after securing accreditation from the Department of Health (DOH).

In a statement, the Quezon City government established the molecular laboratory at Barangay Teachers Village East.

The local government also noted that the City Health Department (CHD) submitted its proficiency test to the DOH for the final approval.

Once it secures a license to operate, the laboratory can start processing 600 to 1,000 specimens daily with results to be released for one to two days.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said the laboratory will allow them to fast track testing of residents in the city which will suppress the spread of COVID-19.

“Ngayong may sarili na tayong molecular laboratory, mas mabilis na nating makukuha ang resulta ng mga samples,” Belmonte said in the same statement.

(Now that we have our own laboratory, we can now get faster results for the specimens.)

“Dahil mabilis na ang labas ng resulta, mas maagap na ang ating pagkilos upang hindi na kumalat pa ang virus sa mga komunidad,” she added.

(Now that we can produce fast results, we can respond quickly so that the virus will not spread in the community.)

Joseph Juico, QC COVID-19 task force head, said the newly-established molecular laboratory will also be used for detecting other diseases such as  “human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis, cancer, and tuberculosis, among others.”

CFC