Jun 29, 2020 | Entre Rios, Argentina |
The Universidad Adventista del Plata lent specific equipment to implement the coronavirus diagnosis process at the Adventist Sanatorium in Plata. [Image: UAP and the South American Division]
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A Seventh-day Adventist hospital in Argentina is increasing efforts to help test and treat the novel coronavirus that’s swept across the globe, including the South American nation. As of June 28, Argentina has reported 57,744 cases of COVID-19, of which 20,134 are listed as recovered. Tragically, however, 1,217 Argentinians have died from the virus.
The Adventist Sanatorium of Plata, in the nation’s interior and adjacent to the Adventist University of Plata, is carrying out advanced work on developing more tests for the disease.
Dr. Arnoldo Kalbermatter, the Adventist hospital’s general director, said, “At this moment we have all the equipment to advance this project. We have just received the validation of the laminar flow hood to safely carry out these studies and we are waiting for the supplies (reagents) that have already been purchased and are ready to arrive at our hospital.”
Advanced testing will help the country do more for people infected, as well as help prevent the spread of the disease, Kalbermatter said. “Argentina faces many limitations in this [testing] process as it only [now] applies to highly suspected groups, close contacts with positive cases or with symptomatic people. This opportunity to have the swapping and application of the test in [our hospital] greatly expands the possibility of covering more population groups at risk, identifying their situation, and serving them with the implementation of relevant biosafety protocols.”
The Adventist University of Plata is assisting the hospital by loaning specialized equipment for this diagnostic procedure, Kalbermatter said.
“To carry out this study, several technological elements are needed, among which the UAP loaned us an ultracentrifuge, and a thermoblock, devices that were used in the Health Sciences Department’s research.”
Kalbermatter added, “I want to place special emphasis on highlighting and thanking the work and close collaboration between both institutions, maintaining a very good dialogue and jointly carrying out this project that will benefit the population of this region of the country. “
Once supplies arrive and training is completed, the hospital expects to begin the expanded testing and research.
This article was originally published on the South American Division’s Portuguese news site
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