The People's Hospital of Xuwen County in Zhanjiang recently built a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) laboratory, becoming the first hospital in the county able to conduct nucleic acid testing for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Previously, the hospital needed to send samples to the Xuwen Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which were then delivered to the Zhanjiang CDC and Guangzhou KingMed Diagnostics for nucleic acid testing. It took two to five days to produce results.

The PCR laboratory has a total investment of more than 1 million yuan ($141,516.31) and covers about 42 square meters. It is composed of a reagent preparation room, a sample collection room, and an analysis room, all of which are isolated from each other.

The laboratory is currently undergoing its trial period and can test 60 copies of COVID-19 nucleic acids every day. After being officially put into use, it will be able to test more than 200 copies of COVID-19 nucleic acids every day. The testing results can be produced in just four hours, which will provide strong technical support for the COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control efforts of Xuwen.

Experts and relevant leaders of Zhanjiang guide the establishment of the PCR laboratory at the People's Hospital of Xuwen County. [Photo by Fu Jie/gdzjdaily.com.cn]