The nucleic acid testing laboratory of Piangxiang Customs, which is the first laboratory in Guangxi's border ports with novel coronavirus (COVID-19) nucleic acid testing technology and a competency certificate, was put into operation on May 1.

The lab is equipped with high-tech equipment, such as a negative pressure room air conditioning system, a biological safety cabinet, an automatic nucleic acid extraction instrument, a real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR instrument, and an ultra-low temperature high-speed centrifuge.

The lab started construction on March 25 and was officially put into use on May 1 after passing the on-site technical review of Guangxi Clinical Testing Center, providing solid technical support for the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic at the land ports.

The laboratory is mainly responsible for the nucleic acid testing of inbound people at Youyi Port, Pingxiang Railway Port, Aidian Port, and Shuikou Port under the jurisdiction of Chongzuo, Guangxi. During the May Day holiday, the laboratory successfully tested 293 samples, all of which were negative.

A staff member of Pingxiang Customs tests samples in the newly established nucleic acid testing laboratory in Chongzuo, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region. [Photo provided by Pingxiang Customs to gxnews.com.cn]

Lan Yiwen, the person in charge of the laboratory, said that nucleic acid detection capability is the most important part of COVID-19 epidemic prevention as the current overseas COVID-19 epidemic situation is rising.

"At present, samples can be sent and tested at the lab in the border area as soon as possible, and we can effectively prevent the risk of importing COVID-19 cases," added Lan.

In the future, Pingxiang Customs will make full use of the technical support role of the laboratory, building a strong line of defense in COVID-19 epidemic prevention and control at the border.