Fiji receives new machines that can do 16 COVID-19 tests at once per machine

Three new machines for the testing of COVID-19 have been installed in the Fiji Centre for Disease Control which will enable 16 instead of 4 tests to be run at once per machine and allowing for up to 1000 additional tests per day.

While these machines will immediately be used to test for COVID-19, in the longer term they can also support testing for a range of other diseases, such as influenza, tuberculosis and HIV testing.

The machines were procured by the World Health Organization with funding support from the European Union.

Health Minister Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete says the 16 module Gene Xpert machine has come at a right time boosting our testing capacity as we face the current wave of new cases.

He says the machines will further enhance our ability to turn around testing results quickly, and make decisions on our public health response.

Dr. Waqainabete has thanked the European Union and WHO for their tremendous support and timely assistance towards the Ministry's COVID response effort