RITM to close lab ops on Nov. 1-2 to prepare for Typhoon Rolly

Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM). Photo from RITM’s Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) in Muntinlupa City announced that it will temporarily halt its laboratory operations from November 1 to November 2 to make way for its disaster risk mitigation measures as Typhoon Rolly is expected to hit the country in the next few days.

“We intend to test samples received until tomorrow. We strongly encourage disease reporting units (DRUs) to refer their samples early, preferably between 7-10 A.M. Those that would not be tested within the day will be stored in our -70° freezer for priority queuing when we resume operations,” RITM Director Celia Carlos said in an e-mailed statement on Saturday.

“This temporary halt means that we give serious attention to addressing challenges in our infrastructure and equipment, which, at this point, may not be able to sustain the repeated onslaught of typhoons. We shall proceed with these risk mitigation measures fully understanding of our part in the ongoing outbreak response, while also ensuring the safety of our employees, stakeholders, and everyone who transports specimens to our facility,” Carlos further said.

RITM’s clinical services in the institute as well as services for outpatient swabbing and walk-in patients remain unhampered, the institute said.

“While the three testing streams in RITM will resume accepting referred samples on Tuesday, November 3, clinical services within the Institute will remain unhampered. Outpatient swabbing and walk-in patients will still be entertained, however, only COVID-19 cases will be admitted at the hospital,” RITM said in its statement.

RITM, likewise, said its key personnel will be on 24-hour duty to inspect their facilities, and reinforce data, programs, and back-up files in case of power outage.

State weathermen earlier raised Signal No. 1 over Metro Manila as Rolly gets nearer to Bicol Region.

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