The Ekiti State government has commissioned a molecular laboratory to facilitate COVID-19 testing, as part of steps to curtail the spread of the virus in the state. The laboratory, which is installed at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, is in partnership with 54gene, a company set up to provide genomic data for Africa. The COVID-19 mobile laboratory acquired by the state government is fully equipped with vital testing instruments and biosafety materials, including an autoclave, biosafety cabinet, centrifuge, heating blocks, vortexes, pipettes, and PCR machines to support COVID-19 testing. He said that the COVID-19 mobile lab would remain in the state even after the pandemic has abated and would be utilised as a fully functional molecular laboratory. The COVID-19 mobile laboratory is pioneered by 54gene, a health tech company accredited by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), which is already testing for COVID-19 in Lagos, Kano and in Ogun states.

Source: The Guardian June 02, 2020 03:00 UTC