Wuchuan's first PCR (polymerase chain reaction) laboratory for COVID-19, which was built and put into use in Wuchuan People's Hospital, has played a big role in the second county-level hospital in Zhanjiang to conduct novel coronavirus nucleic acid testing. 

At present, the laboratory mainly screens COVID-19 for newly admitted patients in hospitals, fever patients, and staff of the supervision institutions. About 180 nucleic acid tests are completed per day in the lab and more than 2,000 tests have been done as of March 23.

In order to improve the detection ability and to quickly screen for infected patients, Wuchuan People's Hospital actively promoted the construction of the PCR laboratory. It also made great efforts in terms of the technical staffing and laboratory procedures under the vigorous attention and support of the Wuchuan government, the epidemic prevention and control headquarters of Wuchuan, the Zhanjiang health bureau, as well as the Zhanjiang disease control center.

A total of more than 1.5 million yuan ($212.05 million) was invested into the laboratory, which covers an area of about 51 square meters. It is divided into a preparation area, a specimen extraction area, an amplification area, and a product analysis area. It is also equipped with various professional instruments. The laboratory has provided reliable technical support for better implementation of epidemic prevention and control requirements.

The laboratory was completed and approved by the Guangdong Provincial Clinical Inspection Center on March 9. The first batch of samples of COVID-19 were successfully carried out on March 10.

The PCR laboratory has shortened the testing time from two days to four hours.

Staff members conduct nucleic acid detection in the first PCR laboratory in Wuchuan People's Hospital. [Photo by Ou Xiaoran/Zhanjiang Daily]