CERTIFICATE FOR REALTIME RT-PCR TESTING CAPACITY TO COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2)

For COVID-19 testing, the most two common methods to determine positive for SARS-CoV-2 are virus gene test (PCR method) and antibody test (often used for rapid testing). The PCR method is accepted as a confirmed method because it detects the gene of the virus directly, so at the time of positive, the patient should have SARS-CoV-2 virus in his/her body. However, this method requires professional staff with modern machines and equipment (high skills and good facilities). Up to date, there are 79 institutes/organizations assigned to be able to perform the PCR test by the Ministry of Health in Vietnam.

On September 14, 2020, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology issued the certificate for RT-PCT testing capacity to SARS-CoV-2 virus for the Laboratory Center of HUPH (Decision No. 1198 / QD-VSDTTW). This is the required condition for the Ministry of Health to accept the HUPH as an institute to perform confirmatory testing for COVID-19. In the upcoming time, HUPH could be further engaged to the prevention of COVID-19 pandemic by providing COVID-19 test if necessary.