Duque calls for round the clock operation of COVID-19 testing labs

MANILA, Philippines — Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing facilities should operate for 24 hours to maximize outputs, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III pointed out Friday.

The Department of Health (DOH) is targeting to conduct 8,000 to 10,000 COVID-19 tests daily by the end of April.

Currently, there are 16 testing centers in the country and other laboratories are currently in the process of getting accredited.

“Marami tayong mga laboratoryo ngayon, pero sabi ko nga, sabi ko nga ay doblehin yung operating hours,” Duque said in an interview on dzMM.

(We have many laboratories right now, but I said, we should double the operating hours.)

“Hindi pwedeng 8 hours lang yan, dapat yan 3 shifts or 24 hours para talagang dumoble o trumiple ang kanilang output,” he added.

(The operating hours should not be 8 hours only, there should be 3 shifts or 24 hours so that we can double or triple the output.)

The expansion of the country’s testing capacity for the respiratory disease is expected to provide a clearer picture of the pandemic and allow the government to respond promptly and more  appropriately.

The testing laboratory in Marikina City one facility that is on its way to being accredited by the DOH.

Duque said the DOH will accredit the testing center by next week, adding he will personally visit the laboratory to inspect it.

Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro earlier said he plans to open the testing center by Friday even without an accreditation from the health department.

However, the DOH warned the local government unit that opening the testing center without the department’s approval may put the city’s residents at risk.

“Hindi po ang DOH ang nag-iipit sa inyo, kami po ay kaalyado niyo sa laban na ito. Ngunit kailangan po nating sundin ang siyensiya at tamang proseso kundi ang mga mamamayan niyo din mismo ang magdudusa dito,” Health Undersecreatry Maria Rosario Vergeire earlier said in a press briefing.

 GSG