Nearly 3,537 COVID-19 Abbott ID NOW and Cepheid GeneXpert tests were donated to Guam by the FSM, RMI, Palau and CNMI to help its fight against the novel coronavirus.
“We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to our brothers and sisters in Palau, Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, Kosrae, CNMI, and Majuro for donating 2,987 Abbott ID NOW tests and 550 Cepheid GeneXpert tests,” said Guam Public Health Laboratory Administrator, Ms. Anne Marie Santos.
The number of positive COVID-19 cases in Guam has been steadily increasing over the past three weeks, reaching its highest single-day tally last week with 136 cases. In contrast, nearby FSM, RMI, and Palau, remain COVID-free and began to build up a surplus of Abbott ID NOW tests. If left unused, the donated test kit would have expired within months.