State-run Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) on Wednesday stated that the hospital has carried out over 100,000 PCR tests for COVID-19.
The main government hospital in the capital Male; has been working around the clock since the Maldives recorded its first positive case of COVID-19 on March 7. The hospital began testing for COVID-19 on February 29, and 100,000 tests have been conducted over the past seven months until today..
Although IGMH laboratory began PCR testing with a team of three technicians, the number of technicians has now been increased to 22 due to the increasing number of positive cases. While the testing capacity was initially at 100 tests per day, the capacity is now at 1,500, said the hospital. The upgrade is the result of modern machinery such as those used in extracting samples and PCR machines, and additional training given to employees.
Noting that testing and isolating are the most important steps that can be taken to contain the spread of COVID-19, the hospital thanked its laboratory staff for working in the frontlines at this crucial time.
