Hospital receives first batch of 20 COVID-19 testing cartridges

The first batch of 20 COVID-19 testing cartridges for the GeneXpert system at Niue Foou Hospital have arrived.

New Zealand High Commission states, these test cartridges will allow for on island diagnostic testing of suspected cases of COVID-19 in 45 minutes, with the ability to test up to four samples simultaneously. 

“This is part of a Pacific wide initiative led by the World Health Organization (WHO), funded by Australia and New Zealand along with others, and with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) providing technical support. “

According to the High Commission , Australia facilitated the delivery of this first batch of cartridges around the Pacific.

“A truly collaborative effort that shows in times of crisis the region and its partners can pull together.”

This supplements diagnostic lab testing at Environmental Science and Research (ESR) laboratories in New Zealand which is still available, funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme.