Philippine COVID-19 testing labs now 30 after 4 more accredited

The number of testing centers for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Philippines has climbed to 30 after four more facilities were accredited by the Department of Health (DOH).

The department reported that the laboratories of the Asian Hospital and Medical Center and the Allegiant Regional Care Hospital were the latest polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing centers to be licensed, bringing the total PCR laboratories to 28.

The DOH also said it accredited two GeneXpert laboratories—one in the Lung Center of the Philippines and the other in the Zamboanga City Medical Center.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier explained that GeneXpert test kits, which are normally used to detect tuberculosis, can yield results faster than PCR machines.

Meanwhile, 64 facilities undergoing the laboratory accreditation process are already on Stage 3 and above of the five-step procedure.

Vergeire said 166,473 people had been tested for COVID-19 as of Monday, 90.4 percent of whom turned out to be negative while 9.3 percent were positive.

The Philippines has recorded 11,350 COVID-19 cases with 2,106 recoveries and 751 deaths as of Tuesday afternoon. 

The government earlier said its goal is to conduct 30,000 tests daily by the end of the month.

The Philippines only achieved its April 30 goal of 8,000 tests daily on Sunday, May 10. — RSJ, GMA News