Isko Manila Mayor Isko Moreno, Vice Mayor Honey Lacuna and Rep. Yul Servo listen to (left) Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla as she discusses the state of the molecular lab staff who got infected recently. Photo by JERRY S. TAN

Isko: Swab test results delayed, labs swamped

January 15, 2022 Itchie G. Cabayan 305 views

MANILA Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet Isko Moreno is asking for the indulgence of the public seeking free RT-PCR tests or swab tests in the city, saying the release of the results is being delayed by the current lack of sufficient manpower.

Moreno said that based on a report from Sta. Ana Hospital Director Dr. Grace Padilla, 14 employees running the molecular testing laboratory at the said hospital have been infected by COVID-19 and are now undergoing the necessary quarantine.

“I would like to be honest with all of you. While our goal is 24 hours when it comes to releasing the results of swab tests, that cannot be done at the moment due to the depletion of our personnel in charge of the laboratory where the samples are being taken for analysis,” Moreno said.

The mayor said the affected lab staff cannot be replaced in an instant, since they are equipped with special skills and knowledge that are required for their specific functions.

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