Guantanamo, February 22 (RHC) -- Cuba opened its 22nd Molecular Biology laboratory in the easternmost province of Guantanamo.

The new facility, erected against the backdrop of restrictions associated with the intensified U.S. blockade, is part of the government effort to expand the service to all provinces.

The island's goal is to reach a PCR processing capacity of more than 22,000 tests per day.

Over the weekend, nearly 400 PCR tests were carried out to try the facility, which is expected to work round the clock when operating fully. It is expected to process up to 800 samples daily.

For Guantánamo, one of the provinces most affected by the outbreaks of SARS-COV-2, the availability of a Molecular Biology laboratory will allow it to speed up PCR tests, to diagnose the presence of COVID-19 promptly, and to achieve greater speed and efficiency in prevention work, epidemiological actions and the treatment of those infected.