DOH so far conducts 89,000 COVID-19 tests; 88% turn out negative

MANILA, Philipppines — The Department of Health (DOH) has so far conducted over 89,000 tests for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nationwide, 88% of which turned out to be negative for the disease.

A total of 78,730 of the tests turned out to be negative; meanwhile, 10,139 or 11% were positive for the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday said the total number of positive tests may be higher than the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country as these still undergo validation.

There are also individuals who undergo repeat testing for the disease, as recommended by some hospitals.

“Ang total positive tests ay maaaring mas mataas sa confirmed cases dahil dumadaan pa sa case validation and processing,” the Health official said in a virtual press briefing.

(The number of positive tests may be higher than the confirmed cases because these still undergo case validation and processing.)

To date, there are a total of 8,212 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country, with 1,023 recoveries and 558 fatalities.

The novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2 has infected over 3.1 million individuals across the globe, killing off more than 210,000. Meanwhile, over 932,000 COVID-19 patients were able to recover from the disease.

COVID-19 is a respiratory illness caused by the novel coronavirus or SARS-CoV-2, the outbreak of which started in China’s Wuhan City in Hubei province in late 2019.

For most people, the virus causes mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough that clear up in two to three weeks. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia, and death.