Philippine Red Cross buys machines that can run 3k COVID-19 tests daily

Two laboratory machines that can augment the capacity of existing testing facilities for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the country may be operational next week, Philippine Red Cross chairman and Senator Richard Gordon said Friday.

"Ang Red Cross bumili ng machines na makakapag-test ng 3,000 a day —1,500 per machine," Gordon said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"Either pupunta 'yung mga med-tech sa mga mismong lugar na pinakamaraming may COVID-19 cases at magte-test doon, tapos yung test [samples] noon nakalagay na sa bote iyan, dadalhin sa Red Cross para madaling malaman," he added.

Test results could be released in as fast as three hours, according to Gordon.

The machines are expected to arrive on Sunday and is projected to be operational starting next week.

Coordination is ongoing with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) as well as with the Quezon City government as initial partners, according to Gordon.

Medical technicians are also currently being trained, he added.

Gordon acknowledged that all additional laboratories that will be set up has to gain the approval first of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

He said the Philippine Red Cross is ironing out the plan with the proper authorities, adding that the organization had launched hotline 1158 for people who suspect they are infected with COVID-19.

The accredited Philippine laboratories has the capacity to process 1,000 tests daily, according to infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana.

Turnaround time should be within 24 to 48 hours but backlogs are delaying the release of results, he added.

Based on the online tracker of the DOH, only 2,147 COVID-19 tests have been made nationwide as of March 27. —Dona Magsino/LBG, GMA News