New virus-detection lab at Pasig hospital nearly 100% operational

Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA

MANILA, Philippines — The operations at the molecular laboratory in Pasig City’s COVID-19 referral hospital are nearing 100 percent, which will be able to detect and trace coronavirus from COVID-19-infected residents.

In a tweet, Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto said the laboratory conducts swab testing, which is the “gold standard” of testing, and ECLIA testing, an anti-body test with almost 100% sensitivity.

“Recently we’ve had difficulty/backlogs in testing. But with our Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory nearing 100% operations, we will be able to solve this problem,” Sotto wrote on social media.

Recently we've had difficulty/backlogs in testing. But with our Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory nearing 100% operations, we will be able to solve this problem.

(We have ECLIA and PCR testing here)

But i need your help! For registration w DOH, the lab needs a name! Suggestions?? pic.twitter.com/b03d2zoWLz

— Vico Sotto (@VicoSotto) August 7, 2020

Sotto also noted that the machines in the laboratory can also be used for other detection of other diseases such as dengue and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), among others.

The mayor even asked the public to help him think of a name for the laboratory which is needed for DOH registration.

Sotto jokes that he will impose a fine against anyone who will suggest that the laboratory should be named after him.

“Pag may nag-suggest na Vico Lab, magmumulta ng 500,” he quipped.

(If someone suggested Vico Lab, they would get a fine of P500.)

As of Aug. 6, Pasig logged 2,122 total tallies of COVID-19 with 1,139 active cases. Of the total number, 854 are recoveries while 129 are fatalities.

JPV