ITRMC NOW A COVID-19 TESTING CENTER
By: Justin Paul D. Marbella, PIO | Photo By: Sonny Buenaventura, PIO | Date: May 22, 2020
ITRMC NOW A COVID-19 TESTING CENTER
The Ilocos Training and Regional Medical Center (ITRMC) in San Fernando City, La Union has now been accredited by the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) as a testing center for Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) specimen.
The ITRMC, which serves as the apex hospital in La Union, could initially test up to 50 specimen per day. Testing capacity may increase as the laboratory personnel get familiarized with the procedure.
Priority for testing are specimen from confirmed and suspected patients admitted in hospitals within La Union.
The samples are being handled by the DOH-Center for Health Development 1 for transport to the ITRMC.
With this development, COVID-19 interventions in La Union may now be administered faster and more efficient.
To date, there are 150 suspected COVID-19 patients admitted in various hospitals in La Union, while two active cases remain.
Moving forward, the Provincial Government of La Union will strengthen disease surveillance in the Province through forging partnership with ITRMC's testing center. It will begin testing of medical health personnel, checkpoint personnel and other frontliners to ensure the sustained operations to control and prevent spread of COVID-19 in the future.
