Testing kits sufficient but other lab supplies a 'challenge' to DOH, says Vergeire

Though supplies of testing kits are now sufficient, the limited number of other laboratory supplies continues to pose a challenge to the Department of Health (DOH) in addressing the COVID-19 problem in the country.

Interviewed on Unang Balita on Monday, DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire particularly mentioned automated extraction machines as among the items that are on limited supply in many local laboratories.

"We have sufficient supplies of testing kits. Ang ating talagang ikinaka-challenge ngayon would be the other supplies for laboratories tulad ng supplies on automated extraction machines atsaka yung iba pa nating logistical supplies," she said.

Vergeire said the DOH received last Saturday the testing kits it procured and that they are set to deliver it to laboratories within the week.

As of June 21, the Philippines has recorded 30,052 COVID-19 cases

Vergeire said not all of the new cases are "fresh ones" and insisted that except for a few areas, the numbers have been generally on a positive trend.

"Pag tinignan natin ang ating mga datos ngayon lalung-lalo na sa pagkakamatay, ito ay bumababa na ng husto. Yung ating case doubling time, hindi gaya ng dati na nasa mga apat hanggang limang araw para mag-doble ang kaso dito sa ating bansa, ngayon umaabot na tayo sa pitong araw."

As of Sunday, total recoveries were at 7,893 after 243 more patients recovered from the respiratory illness, while the death toll climbed to 1,169 with 19 new fatalities, according to the DOH.

Experts from the University of the Philippines had predicted that COVID-19 cases in the country may reach 40,000 by June 30.

Vergeire assured the public that the country's health system capacity is "sufficient."

"Makakaagapay tayo kung sakaling tumaas ang mga kaso," she said.

The DOH said as of June 19, the Philippines had 62 certified polymerase chain reaction laboratories that have tested a total of 534,106 individuals. --KBK, GMA News