After passing a proficiency test last month, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) announced that its 12th molecular laboratory in Surigao del Norte is now open.
The new PRC molecular laboratory is equipped with two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machines and one ribonucleic acid (RNA) extractor. PRC said that the laboratory can process up to 2,000 tests a day.
PRC Chairman and CEO Sen. Richard Gordon attended the inauguration of the newly built molecular laboratory on Jan. 13.
“The molecular lab in Surigao del Norte will serve the entire Caraga region and other nearby provinces for faster testing,” he said. “As we wait for the vaccine, our goal is to test more people to prevent the spread of the virus,” he added.
Surigao del Norte Rep. Francis “Bingo” Matugas thanked PRC for the newly built lab. “On behalf of the entire people of Surigao del Norte, we thank you Senator for choosing Surigao City to be the location of the molecular laboratory,” he said.
The inauguration of the newly-built PRC molecular lab was held a day after the PRC launched its saliva RT-PCR pilot testing on Jan. 12 at the PLMC national headquarters.
PRC has been pushing for the saliva test as a COVID-19 testing alternative.
“Saliva test is a much faster, cheaper, and non-invasive alternative for the swab test,” Gordon said. “This could also lead to more people getting tests especially the children and the elderly,” he added.
With an overall capacity of 42,000, Gordon said that PRC laboratories nationwide also have the adequacy to test the saliva samples once approved by the Department of Health (DoH).