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| Lewis County Hospital Purchases Analyzer for Rapid COVID-19 Test Results April 30, 2020 06:00 p.m. By: Nick Altmire |
results for COVID-19 tests, CEO Jerry Cayer announced during a press conference this afternoon. Mr. Cayer said the hospital has purchased Cepheid GeneXpert® analyzing equipment at a cost of $63,000, which allows for test results in 30 to 45 minutes. The equipment is scheduled to arrive the week of May 11th, and after a day or two of setting everything up and calibrating the equipment it should be available for use. Rapid test results will eliminate the time an individual needs to be quarantined while awaiting results and offer a quicker diagnosis for those testing positive. Mr. Cayer said that the hospital received guidance from the New York State Department of Health this morning for starting outpatient elective surgeries back up, which he anticipates will begin late next week. Each patient will need to be tested prior to surgery, so the introduction of the rapid testing will significantly help that process. Also, as plans begin to slowly reopen sections of the economy, testing and contact tracing will play a key role. The addition of rapid testing should help make that process smoother as well. The analyzer can also perform additional tests, including for sexually transmitted diseases, MRSA, and strep throat. Mr. Cayer said, with the COVID-19 testing and moving those additional tests in-house, about $65,000 in revenue could be generated in the first year. The analyzer was purchased using funds from the hospital's capital budget. Public Health Director Ashley Waite said that the county has also purchased FDA approved antibody tests, which are also expected to arrive the week of May 11th. These tests check for COVID-19 antibodies in an individuals blood, letting them know if they have been exposed to the virus. Full video from this afternoon's press conference is included below: |
