OPELOUSAS, La. — Opelousas General Health System announced on Monday that it is now capable of performing an FDA-approved molecular test in-house for detection of the virus that causes COVID-19.
According to a release from OGHS, a simple nasal swabbing placed in the appropriate transport media is the specimen required for testing. Highly accurate test results are available in one hour.
Positive results indicate active infection for the virus that causes COVID-19, hospital officials state.
“Due to limited number of testing kits, this test is being prioritized based on patient symptoms and potential changes in patient care,” states Dr. Chrissy Lalonde, Medical Director of Laboratory Services at Opelousas General in the release.
OGHS states that by having this testing capability in house, it will allow them to have a faster positive diagnosis for patients being admitted to appropriately place them onto the appropriate area of the hospital.
Hospital officials add that, in some cases, having the test will help employees return back to work sooner if a patient is asymptomatic but has been exposed to COVID-19.