Muntinlupa City's own molecular diagnostics laboratory that will be used to process swab samples for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and a new mega quarantine facility for positive patients will be opened next week.
This was disclosed during the “Better New Normal in Munti” second virtual town hall meeting via Zoom app held on September 30 that was organized by the Muntinlupa Public Information Office headed by Tez Navarro.
Dr. Edwin Dimatatac, medical director of the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun); Erwin Alfonso, head of Muntinlupa’s Department of Disaster Resilience and Management (DDRM); and Coun. Paty Katy Boncayao gave updates on the COVID-19 situation in Muntinlupa.
Dimatatac said the construction of the Ospital ng Muntinlupa Molecular Laboratory will be finished in two days and the equipment will be delivered on the weekend. The laboratory is located at the Saklolo at Gabay ng Ina at Pamilya (SAGIP) building at the back of the hospital in Alabang.
He earlier told Manila Bulletin that they were aiming to have two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines at the laboratory, which can process 500 to 900 samples a day. COVID-19 test results may be released as early as within 24 hours.
During a visit by the C.O.D.E. (Coordinated Operations to Defeat Epidemic) team in Muntinlupa last month, Sec. Vince Dizon committed to give one PCR machine to the molecular laboratory once the accreditation is approved by the Department of Health.
Alfonso, meanwhile, revealed that the COVID-19 mega quarantine facility called We Heal as One Center being built in Bgy. Tunasan will also open next week.
Thirty-six container vans were transformed into a 144-bed quarantine facility, a project of the Muntinlupa City government and the Department of Public Works and Highways. He said each room will have a comfort room, air-conditioning unit, and supplies. Alfonso suggested that each barangay in Muntinlupa should have its own isolation facility with at least 20 beds.
As of September 30, Muntinlupa has 4,272 confirmed COVID-19 cases including 3,916 patients who have recovered and 143 deaths, leaving 213 active cases or 4.98 percent of the total.