By Villamor Visaya Jr., Philippine News Agency Stringer and Philippine Daily Inquirer Correspondent
TUGUEGARAO CITY–The molecular laboratory of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Barangay Carig Sur in this city was closed for disinfection Friday, Jan. 14, after 16 of its workers tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Glenn Mathew Baggao, CVMC chief, said the virus-infected workers were quarantined.
Baggao said the uninfected staff members of the laboratory would resume swabbing and sample collection on Saturday.
The facility was opened in August last year to help speed up COVID-19 testing in the region, processing an average of 300 to 400 specimens daily.
Specimen referrals were sent to other molecular laboratories, including the Department of Health laboratory in the region.
Baggao said 59 medical workers at the CVMC had also contracted the viral disease, but most of them did not show symptoms.#
