Pasig to open testing lab after Marikina, Manila

‘MY BEBE LAB’ Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto inspects the city’s molecular diagnostic lab which is nearly 100-percent operational. In a post on Facebook, he asks people to recommend names for the facility but warns that anyone who suggests “Vico Lab” will be fined P500. The most popular name so far?“My Bebe Lab,” a play on the title of the movie,“My Bebe Love,”which stars the mayor’s father, actor Vic Sotto. —PHOTO FROM PASIG CITY INFORMATION OFFICE

MANILA, Philippines — Pasig City is closer to having its own molecular diagnostic laboratory, according to Mayor Vico Sotto, who said it would help solve the city’s backlog and difficulty in processing swab tests among residents for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The laboratory, which is under Pasig City Children’s Hospital, is currently on partial operations, Sotto said on his Twitter account.

According to the mayor, the facility is equipped to handle both reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and enhanced chemiluminescence immunoassay (Eclia) testing, a type of test that detects antibodies in blood samples.

Sotto said the laboratory could also be used to detect other diseases such as dengue and the human immunodeficiency virus even after the pandemic.

Once operational, Pasig will be the third city in Metro Manila to have its own molecular diagnostic lab, according to the Department of Health’s own list. The other two are Marikina City and Manila.

As of Aug. 8, there were 2,231 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Pasig City, of which 1,234 were active cases. INQ