Philippines prioritized COVID-19 testing —Palace

The Philippines has given priority to screening people for COVID-19 as means to limit the spread of the virus, Malacañang said Tuesday, disputing criticisms that President Rodrigo Duterte belatedly realized the importance of testing.

Duterte told the Cabinet in a televised briefing on Monday that testing is important and directed the Department of Health (DOH) to study how to provide free coronavirus tests in government-run health facilities.

“Sa mula’t-mula po ang ating prayoridad ay i-improve ang ating testing capacity kaya nga po ngayon, tayo po ngayon ay isa sa may pinakamataas na testing capacity sa buong Asya,” presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said at a press briefing.

Over 5.6 million Filipinos have so far been tested for COVID-19, according to DOH data. The country has 170 testing laboratories.

Last month, the DOH said the RT-PCR or swab test for COVID-19 in the country should be priced from P3,800 to P5,000. 

The Philippines has reported 442,785 COVID-19 cases, with 8,670 deaths as of Tuesday. —LDF, GMA News