83% of over 19,000 people tested were negative for COVID-19 –DOH

Of the over 19,000 people who were tested for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 83 percent were negative for the illness, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday.

“Tayo po ay nakapag-test na ng 19,585 individuals. Kasama po sa bilang na ito ang mga test na ginagawa sa ating mga pasyenteng COVID-19-positive… upang ma-monitor po ang progreso ng kanilang kalusugan,” Health Undersecretary Rosette Vergeire said at a virtual press briefing.

“Sa lahat po ng tine-test natin for COVID-19, 83 percent ang nagreresulta ng negatibo.”

The DOH said that a total of 23,678 tests, including retests, had been processed as of Saturday.

There were currently eight laboratories nationwide that had received certification to conduct independent COVID-19 testing.

All the accredited laboratories were capable of testing 1,200 individuals each day, according to Vergeire.

Meanwhile, some 78 other facilities were currently seeking certification to conduct COVID-19 testing.

“Ang target po natin ay 8,000 hanggang 10,000 tests kada araw... pagdating ng April 14,” the health official said.

The chief of the government's COVID-19 response earlier announced that mass testing of suspected cases would begin on the same date.

COVID-19 has infected 3,246 people nationwide as of Sunday afternoon.

Of this number, 152 have died while 64 have already recovered. — DVM, GMA News