Laboratory Capacity

All FSM State hospital labs currently have the capacity for COVID-19 testing locally using both the GeneXpert and CDC Abbot ID NOW test-kits and instruments.
Training of IDNow machine is on-going
All State hospital laboratories have at least one IATA certified shipper designated.
- Trainers of IATA lab shippers have been recertified for another 2 years.
- Standard Operating Procedures for sample collection and shipping have been developed for all labs and shippers trained.
A total of 96 tests have been performed to date for SARSCoV-2 by FSM laboratories.
Lab testing supplies have been received in multiple shipments to maximize shelf life.
- When all shipments are received there should be sufficient testing supplies for 10% of the FSM population.
All laboratories have received two Abbot ID Now analyzers and have 1-2 Cepheid GeneXpert PCR analyzers.

One additional GXIV is on order for each laboratory.
All laboratories have i-STAT devices for arterial blood gas determinations.
Biofire, a Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing device that can test for over 20 pathogens at one time, is being procured for Yap, Chuuk and Kosrae laboratories from ELC Enhancing Detection funding.
FSM was awarded $4M from CDC ELC Enhancing Detection Fund.
- Work plans for this funding have been approved and will include significant upgrades to laboratory and IT equipment.