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Lacson leads inauguration of 2nd NegOcc molecular lab

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson leads the inauguration of the COVID-19 molecular laboratory in Valladolid town, Monday morning, May 3.*Richard Malihan photo

Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson led the inauguration of Negros Occidental’s second COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory at the provincial government-run Valladolid District Hospital in Valladolid town, Monday morning, May 3.

Lacson thanked local officials and partners in the health sector for their cooperation and support that paved the way for the establishment of the molecular laboratory that will cater to the needs of the towns and cities in southern Negros.

The governor said with the added testing center in the province, he hopes that swab test results will have a faster turn-around time for the early detection of COVID-19.

The Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. can conduct 1,000 to 2,000 COVID-19 tests a day when it is fully operational. It began operations last week, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said.

The laboratory is now fully operating and is ready to accept samples for COVID-19 testing, he said.

They have collection points for swab samples in Bacolod City, including at the Provincial Health Office, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m., Diaz said.

Those from private offices and travelers have to pay for theirs COVID-19 tests. Local government units will pay for the tests of those identified on contact tracing at a special rate, he added.

The governor was joined at the inauguration rites by Diaz, Valladolid Mayor Enrique Miravalles, La Carlota City Mayor Dr. Rex Jalando-on, , Valladolid Hospital Chief, Dr. Myre Parpa, Safeguard DNA Diagnostics Inc. manager Jacqueline Zayco, local officials, and provincial government medical officers.

The Valladolid facility is the second COVID-19 testing center of the province, which first molecular laboratory was established at the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City.*

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