Bulacan opens molecular lab for COVID-19 testing

The province of Bulacan has inaugurated its Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory (MDL) to increase its capacity for testing Covid-19 cases.

The facility, located at the Bulacan Medical Center Compound, can process tests using RT-PCR technology and is expected to expand the province's testing capacity to at least 300 tests a day.

Governor Daniel R. Fernando stated that the facility is crucial for Bulacan's recovery and resiliency plan, aiming to usher in a 'new normal' with faster and more accurate test results.

However, the laboratory will not be operational until September due to the ongoing training of health personnel and Governor Fernando's personal belief regarding the 'ghost' month of August.

The PHP11 million facility is expected to aid in "flattening the curve" by allowing for more specimen testing and quicker turnaround times for results.

Similar to the Bulacan Medical Center GeneXpert Laboratory, the new MDL can also test for TB, flu, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) machine.