COVID-19 cases under-reported? DOH points to limited number of testing kits

The Department of Health on Monday (DOH) on Monday said it would expand the coverage of tests involving potential coronavirus patients as soon as it received enough supplies.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III issued the statement after Senator Panfilo Lacson said last Saturday the department may have “underreported” COVID-19 cases “albeit unintentionally.”

“He said there is a possibility of underreporting, although unintentionally. That’s the very clear statement of Senator Lacson,” Duque told reporters in Malacañang.

“This is largely because of our limited testing supplies. As soon as we get more, then we will be able to expand the coverage of who will be tested.”

At present, the DOH has 2,000 testing kits. It is set to receive 4,500 more from the World Health Organization in the coming days.

“Given the limited supply, we have to be very, very prudent in the way we do our tests,” Duque said.

Senator Nancy Binay said the limited number of testing kits was alarming while Senator Christopher "Bong" Go said that testing kits should be made available in far-flung provinces.

The Philippines on Monday recorded 10 more cases of COVID-19 on Monday, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 20. —NB, GMA News