COVID-19 test results to now be available within 2 hours
The Chinese Government on Friday donated a COVID-19 testing machine to the Health Ministry, which will improve the capacity for testing while reducing long waiting time for results.
During a simple handing over ceremony at the Ministry’s Brickdam office, Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun said that China is ready to help Guyana fight against the deadly virus.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony accepting the COVID-19 test machine from Chinese Ambassador to Guyana, Cui Jianchun
He noted that he had discussions with the Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, who revealed that Guyana still has difficulty processing results.
“We make this a reality, and I think this is really, really important for Guyanese people to fight against COVID-19. We think that we can work together, and we will have the final victory,” Jianchun posited.
Meanwhile, Minister Anthony, thanked China for the machine while noting that it will carry the country a far way in testing and unearthing positive cases.
He revealed the machine would reduce COVID-19 processing time from nine hours to two hours at the National Reference Laboratory. He also added that the machine would complement the Ministry’s increased testing on a daily basis.
“As you know, it still has a challenge in how long it takes to process the samples that we received. As it is right now, we still take about 8-9 hours in terms of processing a batch, and with the help of the Ambassador, this time will be reduced.”
He continued, “We estimate that once the machine is up on running, that the processing time would be reduced to about 2 hours. So, we will be able to do about 96 samples within 2-3 hours, and that would be a remarkable achievement, which means that we can run even more batches during an 8 hours shift.”
Since taking office in August, the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Administration has increased the country’s testing capacity. The Ministry has been conducting nearly 250 tests daily than 30-40 tests per day recorded under the previous Administration.
Nevertheless, the Government has since allocated some $51.7 billion to the Health Ministry, which the Government hopes will help fight against the deadly virus.
Minister Anthony also disclosed that the 15th Chinese Medical Brigade arrived in Guyana last week. He explained that this batch would be deployed to various hospitals throughout the length and breadth of Guyana to provide quality healthcare in Guyana. (G1)
