Senator John Le Fondré confirmed that an initial order of 5,000 testing kits was set to arrive and be brought into use. Up to this point, testing has involved samples being sent to the UK and a wait of several days for results.
The Chief Minister told BBC Jersey that the new facility would enable more rapid testing and more careful monitoring of the spread of the virus.
Health Minister Richard Renouf said that orders for more testing kits beyond the initial 5,000 were being chased.
‘This is fantastic news which we have been wanting to achieve for some weeks,’ he said. ‘Frontline health workers will be able to be tested straight away and as a result be able to be treated or carry on working depending on the result.’
Deputy Renouf also said that a delivery of face masks had been received last week and that there was daily chasing of orders for more respirators on top of the 27 currently available at the Hospital.
