Philippines' COVID-19 testing capacity now at almost 42k daily

The Philippines’ capacity to conduct tests for COVID-19 has increased to nearly 42,000 a day, the deputy chief implementer of the government’s coronavirus response said Thursday.

In a televised briefing, Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon said the maximum testing capacity of all licensed laboratories had grown to 41,990 tests per day on June 3 as compared to 34,000 tests on May 31.

But, government figures showed that only 8,000 tests are being conducted per day.

Explaining the difference, the Department of Health said there are factors that may affect the operations of each laboratory.

Factors that may affect operations include availability of laboratory supplies in the market, health human resource issues, equipment issues, and issues in infrastructure, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire last week.

As of Wednesday, the Philippines recorded 19,748 COVID-19 cases, with 974 deaths and 4,153 recoveries. —LBG, GMA News