CORONAVIRUS TEST LAB. Governor Albert Garcia (in white polo shirt), together with some provincial and health officials, leads the inauguration of the first laboratory in Bataan to test persons for Covid-19 on Thursday, June 11, 2020. Known as the 1Bataan–Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) RT-PCR Laboratory, it is located at the compound of the government-run BGHMC in Balanga City, Bataan. (Photo courtesy of the provincial government of Bataan)
BALANGA CITY, Bataan – To ramp up the efforts to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the province, the first laboratory here formally opened on Thursday to test persons for the dreaded disease.
“The laboratory is aimed at pinpointing all possible individuals positive of Covid-19, for them to be isolated from their communities and given appropriate and immediate medical attention,” Governor Albert Garcia said.
Known as the 1Bataan-Bataan General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Laboratory, it is located at the compound of the government-run BGHMC.
Using a GeneXpert machine, the new laboratory has the capacity to do 250 tests daily with the results known in two to three days, Garcia said.
“Malaking tulong ito sa atin na kaugnay ng unti-unting pagbabalik ng sigla ng ekonomiya sa ating lalawigan. Huwag nating isipin na nasa normal na tayo. Ituloy pa rin natin ang new normal (This is a big help for us in the light of the gradual economic recovery in our province. Do not think that we are in normal. Let us continue the new normal),” he said.
Garcia, together with officials of BGHMC and provincial health officer, Dr. Rosanna Buccahan, led the opening of the RT-PCR laboratory test center.
Dinalupihan Mayor Maria Angela Garcia, president of the Bataan League of Municipalities, was also in attendance.
With the opening of the laboratory, the governor said they will now know the real situation of the province in the fight against the dreaded virus.
“Maraming salamat sa inyong patuloy na pakikiisa at pang-unawa upang mapuksa natin ang ating kaaway. Lagi tayong dumalangin sa ating Panginoon (Thank you for your continued cooperation and understanding so that we can curb our enemy. Let us always pray to our Lord),” Garcia added.
Based on the report of the Provincial Health Office as of Wednesday, the number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the province was 164.
A total of 141 recovered from the dreaded disease while the death toll is at 10. (PNA)
