It was past eight when Dr. Clover Almeida stifled a yawn.
Kung ilang oras na silang nagpapabalik-balik sa laboratoryo para i-test ang sample na nakuha nila kay Mrs. Taves at sa mga Chua, matagal na siyang nawala sa bilang. Bumaling siya sa kanyang assistant na nakasuot ng kahawig na suit sa kanya---it was necessary for protection so that they wouldn't get infected.
He had just taken out the wells that contained the samples.
Nang hindi gumana ang ibang test kanina para ma-identify ang virus, he finally suggested they'd try to do the enzyme-linked immunoassay or "ELISA" test. It's one of the fastest tests they can administer after narrowing down the suspected viruses.
Tuwing infected ang katawan ng tao ng isang harmful substance tulad ng mga pathogen, naglalabas ang katawan natin ng specific antibodies para "labanan" ang mga ito. These antibodies can be found in the blood, and it makes it easy to pinpoint which virus infected the host. Thankfully, ECDCP supplied them with all the equipment and reagents they needed.
Huminga nang malalim ang virologist nang mailapag na sa mesa ang wells.
Bakas ang pagod at kaba sa kanyang lab assistant. He silently watched as she took the small bottle of indicator.
'Kapag nagbago ang kulay nito, makukumpirma ang pinaghihinalaan naming virus.'
Using a pipette, Dr. Almeida carefully placed a couple of drops in every clear solution in the wells. Sa matamlay na liwanag ng fluorescent lamp sa kanilang tabi, pigil-hininga nilang hinintay ang mangyayari.
A few seconds later, the clear liquid soon turned the faintest blue.
Maya-maya pa, tumingkad ang kulay nito hanggang sa hindi na nila maitanggi ang katotohanang nag-positive sa isang antibody ang dugo ng mga biktima. With wide eyes, her assistant turned to their chart where they've already crossed out the other possible viruses...
Leaving them with something that was nearly as deadly.
'Alam na namin kung anong virus ito.'
---
BINABASA MO ANG
✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure
Mystery / Thriller"Kailangan natin siyang pigilan bago pa ubusin ng virus ang populasyon ng Eastwood!" This time around, Detective Nico Yukishito and Detective Briannova Carlos are forced to face two enemies... One unseen. One vengeful. Both deadly. What happens when...
