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Selected Research Findings

Study on best clinical samples for COVID-19 detection

rRT-PCR Ct values and infectivity

Local COVID-19 strains

Mutations in Spike Protein of Malaysian SARS-CoV-2 Strains

Reference

“Hospital's Laboratory Services during COVID-19” by Dr.Arni Binti Talib, Head of
the National Pathology Services in Malaysia and the Head of the Department of
Pathology at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.

Introduction

Different laboratory information systems in hospital laboratories

Difficulty in getting equipments and reagents during pandemic

Stock inventory management during pandemic

Setting up a mini laboratory in KLIA

Q&A Session

What is the cycle threshold (Ct) in terms of PCR platform?

Dr Ravi, do you know if studies have been done in Singapore to confirm whether their
reported 382-nucleotide deletion strain is attenuated?

What is the sensitivity and specificity of rapid antigen test?

Does IMR or other hospital laboratories do heat inactivation of specimens prior to
processing? How is it done?

There is still quite an amount of controversy around the world with regards to the use of
serology tests. I know we have access to some serology kits now. What is the current
situation and what are our experiences with serology tests?

How sensitive is our RTK antibody test?

As we go forward, the numbers (positive COVID-19 cases) now look good. However, we are
still worried about the possibilities of a second surge of COVID-19 as we open up the
economy, there will be more human-to-human interaction. So, I think we all need to be
prepared for it. Going forward, what are the major challenges we have to foresee in
laboratory services in terms of preparing for a second surge?

What does it mean by oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal being 8%?

Final Messages by Panellists