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Tropical Medicine Research Institute (RITM). Photo from RITM Facebook page
MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Health-Tropical Medicine Research Institute (DOH-RITM) in Muntinlupa City announced that it will temporarily halt its laboratory operations from November 1-2 to make way for its risk mitigation measures for disasters due to Typhoon Rolly. it is expected to arrive in the country in the next few days.
“We intend to test the samples received until tomorrow. We strongly encourage disease reporting units (DRUs) to submit your specimens in advance, preferably between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. M. Those that would not be analyzed during the day will be stored in our -70 ° freezer so that they will be queued with priority when we resume operations, ”said RITM director Celia Carlos said in a statement emailed on Saturday .
“This temporary disruption means that we pay close attention to addressing the challenges in our infrastructure and equipment, which, at this point, may not be able to sustain the repeated onslaught of typhoons. We will continue with these risk mitigation measures fully understanding our part in the response to the ongoing outbreak, while ensuring the safety of our employees, stakeholders and all who transport samples to our facilities, ”said Carlos.
RITM clinical services at the institute, as well as outpatient swab and walk-in services, remain unimpeded, the institute said.
“While all three streams of tests at RITM will resume accepting derived samples on Tuesday, November 3, clinical services within the Institute will remain unimpeded. Outpatients with swabs and walk-ins will continue to be entertained, however, only COVID-19 cases will be admitted to the hospital, ”RITM said in its statement.
RITM also said that its key personnel will be on duty 24 hours a day to inspect its facilities and reinforce backup data, programs and files in the event of a power outage.
State meteorologists previously raised the No. 1 Signal over Metro Manila as Rolly approaches the Bicol Region.
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