HSH Prince Albert on Monday inaugurated a new laboratory at the Monaco Scientific Centre that will allow the Principality to speed up the analysis of coronavirus tests.

The new ’P3’ lab equipment consists of a molecular biology analytical platform in the form of a Cobas 6800 machine that makes Monaco completely autonomous for virus screening of PCR tests.

The machine, from Roche Daignostics, will initially process 400 tests every day. The Princess Grace Hospital will no longer have to undertake the testing itself.

Didier Gamerdinger, Minister of Health, said: “Beyond a rapid return (of the result) to the patient, this will enable the Government and the health authorities to have access to reliable and complete data to make the best decisions for the Principality. It gives us a new impetus in the fight against the virus.”

PHOTO: HSH Prince Albert inspects the Cobas 6800 machine at the Monaco Scientific Centre Monaco Government Press Office