Tucked away at the Tzrifin military base in central Israel is one of the most important laboratories currently operating in Israel, the IDF's coronavirus testing lab, which more than anything exemplifies the country's trademark ingenuity and adaptiveness.
The lab was originally fitted to identify the DNA fallen soldiers, but after the outbreak of the pandemic, it was repurposed to help save lives. Several weeks ago, upon the outbreak of the virus, the IDF high-command enlisted to fight the virus. In a matter of just four days, the specialized lab for identifying fallen soldiers through DNA testing, which is subordinate to the Military Rabbinate, was completely transformed.
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The lab, which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week, is manned by 60 officers and non-commissioned officers, both in the standing army and the reserves.
The lab is commanded by Lt. Col. Dr. Noam Protter, head of the IDF Medical Forensic Unit, alongside his deputy, Maj. Dr. Alex Lavovsky, and Reouven Berdugo, head of the Military Rabbinate's Genomic Laboratory.
Hundreds of coronavirus samples are tested daily, which are collected by mobile testing teams comprising soldiers from the IDF Medical Corps and Military Police Corps.
