MARAWI CITY (PIA) — With the opening of the biomolecular testing laboratory in Amai Pakpak Medical Center (APMC), the detection of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Lanao del Sur will be upgraded and fast-tracked.
The establishment of the testing laboratory was made possible by the collaborative efforts of APMC, local government units of Marawi City, Lanao del Sur and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
The provincial government of Lanao del Sur allocated Php10 million, Php2 million from Marawi City government, and Php15 million from BARMM.
Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra said the opening of the laboratory will speed up the confirmation of COVID-19 positive cases.
“Mas mapapadali na ang pagscreen sa posibleng carrier ng COVID-19. Ito ay napakalaking tulong,” said Gandamra.
[The screening of a possible carrier of COVID-19 will now be faster. This is a great help.]
Equipped with polymerase chain reaction machines, the testing laboratory can provide results in 48 hours.
Confirming the results of COVID-19 patients will also be accommodated in the laboratory.
Meanwhile, Gandamra thanked the medical frontliners, security forces, and the residents of the City for the strict enforcement of minimum health protocols which has helped in decreasing COVID-19 cases.
“Bumaba ang active cases sa Marawi City. [Active cases in Marawi City have decreased.] From more than 100 since nag extended ng modified enhanced community quarantine until it was lifted and downgraded to general community quarantine for bumaba ang cases. That’s a good improvement in our fight against COVID-19,” Gandamra said.
However, Gandamra reminded the public to not be complacent with the decrease of cases and to still observe the minimum health protocols.
“But we will not be complacent about this dahil hanggang ngayon andyan pa rin ang [because there is still a threat of COVID-19] threat ng COVID-19. We should always be vigilant. We should always observe all minimum health protocols being imposed by our government,” he added.
As of November 16, Marawi City Health Office reported eight active cases out of 581 confirmed cases in the city. Of this, seven are admitted and one in an isolation facility. (LELA/ PIA ICIC)
