KUCHNG: A biology laboratory is being set up at the Sarawak Heart Centre to help the state’s Covid-19 testing capacity.
Local Government and Housing Minister Datuk Seri Dr Sim Kui Hian, in a Facebook post yesterday, said the laboratory was already up and running after being completed in less than three weeks.
The laboratory is rated Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) where researchers can handle classified Level 3 pathogen organisms in the best security conditions.
“Although is only 70 percent of BL3 lab where the high-efficiency particulate air (Hepa) filter yet to be installed due to the movement control order (MCO), it is the first one in Sarawak beyond BL2 lab.
“This definitely will help Sarawak’s capacity in polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing,” he wrote.
Dr Sim said the equipment for setting up the laboratory was gathered from the Health Department, Heart Centre, Forestry Department, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas) and the private sector.
“I am very proud and inspired by the team, despite coming from different places with the innovation, creativity and more importantly going against all odds doing the impossible to get it up and running soon.
“This is the very spirit of solidarity responding to the cry of Sarawak’s war effort, pulling together their resources,” he said.
