Dr. Marvin Manzanero Explains COVID-19 Testing

Marvin Manzanero

At today’s press conference, Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero explained that two platforms are being used for testing, the gene expert and PCR testing. He explained that the gene expert is for patients who are in a critical condition.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“We are doing two basic platforms right now, the gene expert technology and the routine PCR testing. So once you get a gene expert processed and that takes about one hour to complete, but you can only do four into the cartridge, once you get a positive result that is classified as a positive case and the information is fed to the relevant entities. But once it is negative you have to go and get a PCR processed going on and that is usually around the following day. We are using the gene expert technology for the critical patients that are showing at different facilities because that gives a quicker turnaround time so you can make a quicker determination as to what you are going to do with the patient.”