Rivers gets five PCR machines for COVID-19 test

The number of testing facilities for COVID-19 in Rivers State has been increased to five, even as the state also recorded 20 confirmed cases.The state, on Friday, formally began Coronavirus testing at the molecular laboratory installed at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Port Harcourt.

The three Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) machines were donated by Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Total. Shell donated two, while Total gave one. Two PCR machines were earlier installed at the UPTH. Both the Federal Government and Shell donated one each.

Chief Medical Director of Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Friday Aaron, said with the three additional machines, the state was now positioned to ramp up testing and tackle Coronavirus spread.

Regional Community Health Manager, SPDC-JV, Dr. Akinwumi Fajola, expressed happiness at the setting up of the Coronavirus test laboratory in the state.