Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has imported 20 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) laboratory test machines from Roche, Switzerland, to be then distributed to 11 provinces to expedite response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 11 provinces to receive the diagnostic test equipment are Jakarta, West Java, Central Java, East Java, Bali, Lampung, South Sumatra, North Sumatra, East Kalimantan, South Sulawesi, and Papua, Arya Mahendra Sinulingga, special staff of the state-owned enterprises (SOEs) minister, stated.

"We will send these as soon as possible. Hopefully, after they are installed, they will reach the destinations within two weeks," he stated at a press conference at Graha BNPB here on Wednesday.

The government has bought 20 PCR devices comprising two Automatic RNA Extractors and 18 PCR Detectors that are capable of conducting up to 10 thousand tests per day.

Sinulingga explained that the two tools had different test capabilities. The RNA Extractor can deliver results of up to one thousand RNA tests per day, while the PCR Detector has a capacity of 500 tests per day.

Up to 300 thousand tests per month are expected to be conducted through these machines.

The PCR test results will facilitate swift medical treatment for those testing positive for COVID-19 and prevent the spread of the virus.

Related news: Self protection gear, PCR reagent urgently needed: Task Force
Related news: Prototype of qPCR COVID-19 test kit made in Indonesia completed
Related news: Social assistance for economically vulnerable groups amid COVID-19

Translator: Shofi Ayudiana, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
Copyright © ANTARA 2020