Cuba to have its own PCR

Havana, May 24 (Prensa Latina) Cuba will soon have domestically produced PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests, which represents a step forward in the fight against Covid-19.

Said test currently costs US$11 each on the international market, but at times of high demand it was worth between US$50 and US$60.

This breakthrough is the result of the collaboration of the National Center for Biopreparations, the Center for Advanced Studies, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Havana and Sancti Spiritus, as well as the Center for Immunoassay.

According to Granma newspaper, tests and evaluations have been carried out and there are conditions to supply the quantity required for a scenario where between 3,000 and 25,000 tests are needed daily at the national level.

Now, in order to achieve 100 percent technological sovereignty, Cuban scientists are trying to obtain other additives for the reaction, which sometimes have to be imported, the newspaper said.