Covid lab with 12-hour turnaround arrives

Wednesday 12 August 2020

A 'flatpack' lab that would allow up to 2,000 covid tests to be processed in Jersey within around 12 hours has arrived.

The laboratory was delivered at 10:00 this morning on the MV Musketier.

Currently, most covid tests are processed off-island and take up to 48 hours for the results to be returned.

However, that time will be slashed by more than half once the new lab is operational, with 2,000 tests able to be processed each day with a turnaround of an average of 12 hours.

Early next week, the lab will be moved to its final location where installation will begin. It will then be tested and validated before its full launch in September.

The contract for the lab will last three months initially, and will take effect as soon as the lab begins processing tests.

It's hoped the lab will supplement the reopening of Jersey's borders, help identify cases more quickly and speed up the contact tracing process.