PH poised to start mass COVID-19 testing by April 14

The Philippine government is looking to start mass testing persons suspected of having COVID-19 on April 14. REUTERS
PHOTO BY REUTERS

MANILA – The Philippine government is eyeing to kick start on April 14 a “massive testing” for persons suspected to have contracted coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the national government’s response to the COVID-19 outbreak, said they have asked Department of Health to speed up the accreditation of more coronavirus testing facilities.

As of Friday, there were already nine hospitals accredited by the DOH to conduct COVID-19 testing, including the West Visayas Medical Center in Iloilo City.

“We’re also determined to fast track the accreditation of subnational laboratories so we can start the massive testing of the PUIs (persons under investigation) and the PUMs (persons under monitoring),” Galvez said. “We expect that by April 14 we should be able to start massive testing.”

According to Galvez, the PUIs and PUMs – composed mostly of those with COVID-19 symptoms and those who had contact with known cases – will be quarantined as soon as facilities are available.

“We first need to contain the spread of the virus, that’s why we conducted a lockdown, social distancing and also segregation of those vulnerable. The next step is we have to have mass testing,” Galvez said.

“We are pushing for the DOH to have that kind of massive testing, at least the rate is, we have at least 2,000 to 3,000 (per day). For now I think their capability is only 1,000 and now we have more than 20,000 PUIs and PUMs that need to be tested,” he added.

Galvez also said that the conversion of the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila into a quarantine facility is expected to be completed this week. Other quarantine areas include the World Trade Center, Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex, and the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City./PN

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