Published: 09.02.2021
In the autumn, we informed you that the Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice started helping again in the emergency, not only by offering its students who reported to hospitals as volunteers in hospitals and other health facilities, but also directly by testing the samples of patients indicated for the COVID-19 disease at the Faculty.
The testing of samples by the PCR method was conducted at the Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences, Faculty of Chemical Technology in two stages that reflected the two pandemic waves in the spring and autumn. A scientific analysis of the samples taken at the Pardubice Hospital was carried out in a special biosafety level (BSL-3) laboratory which was opened for this purpose in March 2020.
During the first period from April to July 2020, the hospital sent a total of 298 samples for testing, of which about 7% were positive. In the second period from September 2020 to January 2021, nearly ten times as many samples were tested, specifically 2,689. The primary difference was in the higher number of samples positive for the COVID-19 disease (on average 43.4%).
Based on the situation at the end of January, the testing was finished by agreement. The Faculty of Chemical Technology, University of Pardubice as well as the Pardubice Regional Hospitals appreciate the cooperation and consider it mutually beneficial. As part of the assistance provided by the Faculty, the price per sample analysis was significantly lower compared with the current prices in the healthcare sector.
At the end of September, the employees involved in the testing were awarded by the Dean for their merit and received the “Silver Medal for Outstanding Work for the Faculty” which they truly deserve. We would like to thank all of the members of the testing team and wish them good health and every success!
Mgr. Barbora Jankovičová, Ph.D.
Department of Biological and Biochemical Sciences
Mgr. Lucie Stříbrná, Ph.D.
Vice-Dean
