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Samples tested for COVID-19 in NCR drop by 20% after Red Cross limited testing


The number of samples tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Metro Manila fell by 20 percent immediately after the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) stopped conducting tests chargeable to the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).

According to Maki Pulido’s “24 Oras” report on Monday, only 1,524 samples or 1,522 unique individuals were tested in the capital region on October 16, compared to 8,314 samples or 8,285 people tested just the day before.

PRC announced last week that it would halt PhilHealth-funded COVID-19 tests due to unpaid debt that had ballooned to over P930 million. 

This affects samples from returning Filipinos, mega swabbing facilities, and local government units, among others.

Newly installed PhilHealth President and CEO Dante Gierran earlier said he would not settle the state health insurer’s debt to Red Cross until issues concerning the implementation of the Memorandum of Agreement are resolved. 

Meanwhile, PhilHealth spokesman Rey Baleña said they hope to settle the unpaid dues within the month. 

PRC conducts 30 percent of all COVID-19 tests performed nationwide.

The Philippines has tallied 359,169 infections as of Monday afternoon. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News

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