Government targets 1M virus tests by end-July

MANILA. One of the mega swabbing centers in Metro Manila (File Photo)
MANILA. One of the mega swabbing centers in Metro Manila (File Photo)

THE total number of diagnostic tests for Sars-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), is targeted to reach one million by the end of July 2020 as government expands testing to include non-medical frontliners and asymptomatic persons.

National Task Force Against Covid-19 deputy chief implementer Vivencio “Vince” Dizon said Thursday, June 25, 2020, that the Philippines has received a total of 1.05 million testing supplies as of Sunday, June 21.

“Mayroon na pong dumating noong June 21 na 1.05 million testing supplies. Ito po iyong matagal na nating hinihintay na inorder ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM),” Dizon said.

“Mayroon tayong bagong sini-set na goal, dahil nga po dumating na iyong hinihintay natin na bagong supply. By July, dapat one million tests na tayo,” he added.

He said the government plans to ramp up community testing in high-risk areas such as Metro Manila, Calabarzon, Central Luzon, Cebu, and Davao.

According to Dizon, the Department of Health (DOH) may now expand its testing protocols to include non-medical frontliners and people who have no symptoms of Covid-19.

“Ngayon na dumating na ‘yung test kits natin na bulto, ‘yung inorder natin na malaki, maaari na tayong mag expand ng ating testing mula doon sa may sintomas, papunta doon sa mga walang sintomas,” he said.

“Puwede silang pumunta sa mga labolatoryo, sa mga private labs kagaya ng Red Cross para magpa-test. Nirerekomenda namin sa DOH na i-expand ang protocol para sa pag test ng mga asymptomatics, lalo na ‘yung mga non-medical frontliners,” he added.

The DOH earlier issued a memorandum that lists the additional persons who are eligible for testing.

Dizon reported that as of June 19, the country’s testing capacity reached 51,302. The country’s testing capacity was only at 2,000 in March.

“Iyon pong 50,000 na ating testing capacity by June 30 ay as of June 19 ay nalampasan po natin,” he said.

There are now 66 laboratories nationwide that can conduct tests for Sars-CoV-2.

“Ang ating mga laboratoryo po ay tumaas na rin, simula ng iisang laboratoryo lang ang RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) noong Pebrero, ngayon po ay 66 na as of June 24, 2020,” he said.

Among the 66 laboratories, 24 are private-owned, 41 are government-owned, and one is a public and private partnership laboratory.

As of June 22, these laboratories have conducted 612,571 tests. The country was only able to conduct 17,414 tests in March.

“Ang actual test po ay napakalaki ng itinaas, sa kasalukuyan po as of June 22, mahigit 600,000 na ang na test. Simula noong Marso hanggang ngayon ay napakalaki na po ng naitaas natin,” Dizon said.

He said the country will record more positive cases as the government ramps up its testing capacity.

“Habang tayo po ay nagtetest ng marami, dadami rin po iyong mahahanap nating positibo, habang dumadami ang ating actual test,” Dizon said. (SunStar Philippines)

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