Philippines still off target of 30k COVID-19 tests daily, says expert

The Philippines is still “some ways off” its target to conduct 30,000 tests daily for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) by May 30, a medical expert said Monday.

Dr. Gene Nisperos, a faculty member of the University of the Philippine College of Medicine, pointed out that data run contrary to the statement of presidential spokesman Harry Roque that the Philippines has exceeded its target number of daily tests. 

Earlier on Monday, Roque said that the Philippines increased its testing capacity to 32,100 on May 20.

Data from the Department of Health (DOH), however, show that only 8,179 samples were processed on May 20.

“The DOH cannot hide the fact that the Philippines is still some ways off the target of 30,000 tests per day. The per day testing capacity peaked at 11,000 last May 15 and is now at 8,283 per day. Malayo sa 32,000 na sinasabi ng Malacañan,” Nisperos told GMA News Online.

“The Duterte government is making claims that are NOT supported by data. THAT is a sign of desperation,” he added.

The DOH clarified that the licensed laboratories are not yet able to operate at their maximum capacity due to a shortage of supplies and staff. 

Current testing capacity

On May 24, the number of samples processed by laboratories dropped to 5,794 from 8,283 the day before.

The DOH’s goal by April 30 was to conduct at least 8,000 tests daily. 

The highest number of daily tests conducted is 11,509, recorded on May 14. 

The government earlier reported that the private sector conducts the bulk of COVID-19 testing, with the Philippine Red Cross accounting for 45 percent of the tests performed and other private firms contributing 21 percent. 

The Philippines so far has 42 COVID-19 testing centers, including 34 polymerase chain reaction laboratories and eight GeneXpert facilities.

A total of 120 other institutions are undergoing the five-step laboratory accreditation process, 96 of which are already on Stage 3 and above.

The group Scientists Unite Against COVID-19 earlier urged the government to streamline accreditation, expand sample allocation, centralize the procurement of supplies, and hire more laboratory personnel to increase testing capacity. —LDF, GMA News