NUECES COUNTY, Texas — Some troubling news today regarding coronavirus testing here in the Coastal Bend. A new state of the art testing system was reportedly running out of necessary supplies to continue those tests.
Christus Spohn Health System unveiled the Cepheid Genexpert Infinity 48 less than 2 weeks ago. A system that can process a larger number of tests more quickly and with great accuracy.
The problem is each testing sample requires a cartridge. At today's City Council meeting, the health department informed the city that Christus Spohn had run out of those cartridges. However, as of this afternoon they received a new shipment.
As for supplies at the health department, they are currently running low on nucleic acid, which is used to process testing samples. Health Director Annette Rodriguez said they expect a new supply of that product in the next couple of days.
"It's not unlimited we do have limited supplies, so while they're giving us nursing homes and other directives that's a good thing, we need to know that the vulnerable population is safe," Rodriguez said. Spohn now plans to use that new batch of cartridges to test nursing home residents on Wednesday and Thursday. After that, the Health Department will take over testing."
For the latest updates on coronavirus in the Coastal Bend, click here.
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