A new molecular diagnostic laboratory will be built by the Caloocan City Government to extend its conduct of RT-PCR (Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) testing for the citizens.
According to Caloocan City Mayor Oscar "Oca" Malapitan, the molecular laboratory will meet the need for wider swab testing for the coronavirus and faster release of its results.
"Once we have our own molecular laboratory, we can swab more people and we will immediately know who is positive for COVID-19 and need to be taken to our isolation facilities," said Malapitan.
The mayor further clarified that the laboratory will serve residents of North and South Caloocan.
"This facility will be open to all citizens of Caloocan. This is where the swab testing that will be conducted in the city’s communities will be processed," Malapitan said.
As a preliminary step, representatives of the City Government and the Department of Health-National Capital Region (DOH-NCR) jointly inspected the location where it will be located, in the Caloocan City North Medical Center (CCNMC) compound.