Local medical diagnostics firm Randox has announced that it's processed its 10 millionth Covid sample following a rapid expansion.
Randox labs in Northern Ireland have just processed their 10 millionth sample for the UK's Covid-19 National Testing Programme, a major testing milestone for the country. Randox was one of several companies chosen throughout the UK for investment in rapid testing infrastructure to help with the pandemic.
Around £85 million has been invested in new facilities and equipment at Randox's labs since March 2020 as it scaled up its testing capacity for the national testing programme rollout. The firm has also been offering paid private tests throughout the pandemic, and recently opened a drop-in testing centre in Belfast International Airport.
RELATED: Belfast International Airport opens new walk-in COVID-19 rapid testing lab
As part of the investment, Randox has hired over 850 new staff and set up over 80,000 sq ft of new lab space for testing and development of new testing technologies. The company's Covid test capacity has increased from 150 tests per day in March 2020 to over 120,000 test samples per day now, the highest test capacity lab in the UK and Ireland.
Randox Founder and Managing Director, Dr Peter FitzGerald, commented: "This milestone is an incredible achievement and testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams, who have pulled together at a time of national crisis and whose non-stop efforts are vital to enable the country to return to both social and economic normality."
"We will continue to build our capacity and develop new cutting-edge testing equipment to support the fight against COVID-19. We’ve all learnt from this pandemic the importance of early and accurate testing and Randox is committed to investing in diagnostic technology to meet future health challenges."
Source: Written based on press release
