In a bid to fight coronavirus the Ogun State Government on Wednesday said it has acquired a Molecular Laboratory as part of efforts to contain the spread in the country.
According to the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), there are five laboratories in the country with capacity to test for coronavirus, and they are located in Lagos State, Osun State, Edo State, and Abuja.
Governor Dapo Abiodun said the Molecular Laboratory would be unveiled during the period of the lockdown at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, where finishing touches were being added before it can be fully operational. Governor Dapo Abiodun also promised to establish a biomedical laboratory so that tests of suspected cases in the State could be done without going to Lagos, Ede or Abuja
He also added, that it will minimise the test turn-around time which currently is between 3-5 days and fast-track the handling of positive cases. It will also reduce the period of apprehension and anxiety for those suspected of infection and their relations.
A molecular laboratory test is essential in the checks for certain genes, proteins, or other molecules in a sample of tissue, blood, or other body fluid and central in the detection and handling of the Coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the State government has said it is contemplating “a review of the relaxation window for people of the State, during the 14-day lockdown recently ordered by the federal government”.
Governor Dapo Abiodu, said that the government is reviewing the current window to enable citizens and residents restock on food items and conduct essential businesses during the period of the extended lockdown announced by the president”.
