RITM committed to finish COVID-19 test backlog in 3 days —Vergeire

The backlogs on releasing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test results is projected to be finished by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in three days, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday.

"Ang kanilang commitment, nakausap natin sila kanina, na matatapos na po lahat ng backlog in two to three days," Vergeire said in a press briefing.

"Pagkatapos po noon, we will have real-time test results already na sinasabi nga nating 24 to 48 hours," she added.

It currently takes around five to seven days for RITM to release COVID-19 test results because of the previous backlogs, according to the health official.

Other subnational laboratories that are operational also aims to follow the 24- to 48-hour standard turnaround time, she added.

Vergeire reiterated that the Food and Drug Administration is exercising thorough assessments of testing kits to ensure that these yield accurate test results before being made commercially available.

Almost 30 laboratories have also expressed intention to be extension facilities for COVID-19 testing but Vergeire said that these shall all comply with biosafety requirements before being approved for operation.

"Itong ating proseso for COVID-19 is very risky. It has biosafety risk. Mayroon po tayong dala-dalang live virus. Kung wala po tayong regulatory measure para siguraduhin na maayos ang laboratoryo at may kakayanan, maaari pong mag-umpisa ng epidemya diyan sa laboratoryo na 'yan at kumalat sa ating komunidad," Vergeire said.

The local government of Marikina initiated to set up its own testing facility but has not gain the approval yet of the Department of Health because of issues on the proposed location.

According to infectious disease expert Dr. Edsel Salvana, the accredited laboratories in the Philippines have the capacity to process 1,000 tests daily but previous backlogs are delaying the release of the results.

As of March 27, only 2,147 COVID-19 tests have been completed nationwide, based on DOH's online tracker. --KBK, GMA News