As part of the comprehensive work we are conducting in the Atacames canton to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, on February 12, 2021, we delivered 1,000 PCR tests for COVID-19 detection to the Atacames – Muisne health district. Additionally, a screening process will be carried out with quantitative tests to verify the percentage of the population in Atacames and Muisne who have already developed antibodies.
1,000 PCR tests
Due to the crowds resulting from the recent electoral process and the Carnival holiday, there is a higher risk of contagion in Ecuador. During this holiday, there was a lot of irresponsibility among the citizens and the local population. Parties, crowds, and large gatherings took place. Therefore, the Atacames – Muisne health district will administer the 1,000 COVID-19 detection PCR tests to service providers at various points in the Atacames and Muisne cantons.
300 tests will be taken in Atacames; 300 in Tonsupa; 250 in Same and Tonchigüe. In the Muisne canton, 150 PCR samples will be taken between Mompiche and Portete. These tests were managed by the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador (PUCE) and funded by the ‘Sumar Juntos’ trust of Banco Pichincha.
Screening
We have arranged for the loan of an ELISA machine to determine the percentage of COVID-19 antibodies that the local population has developed since March 16, 2020, when the pandemic began. To do this, we trained two laboratory technicians in the city of Quito so they can perform the tests in Atacames.
The health district will select the population to undergo the quantitative tests based on the statistics of positive patients recorded in their computer system since March 16, 2020, when the first case of COVID-19 was reported.
Currently, screening is being conducted for the calibration of the Elisa machine in both positive and non-positive healthcare personnel. After the equipment calibration, we will be able to perform 80 quantitative tests every three days.
