MANILA, Philippines — The provincial government of Cavite is eyeing to increase coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests to 10,000 to 15,000 per day in ten weeks, Governor Jonvic Remulla bared Thursday.
In his address to the public, Remulla said that the provincial government has established 25 swabbing stations across the province.
“Ang Pilipinas ngayon ay may testing capacity na 5,000 hanggang 8,000 tests sa isang araw. Ang target ng Cavite ay sa sampung linggo ay magkakaroon ng kakayahan para sa 10,000 to 15,000 tests per day,” Remulla said.
(The Philippines currently has a testing capacity of 5,000 to 8,000 tests per day. The target of the province of Cavite is to have a testing capacity of 10,000 to 15,000 per day in ten weeks.)
“Kapag 100 percent capacity na tayo, ay test ngayon, resulta bukas,” he added.
(Once we are at 100 percent capacity, we can have tests today and release the results tomorrow.)
The governor also explained their testing strategy which puts into priority those considered to be probable cases of COVID-19, followed by frontliners such as doctors, nurses, barangay health emergency response teams, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), midwives and other “high-risk personnel.”
Remulla said that “high vectors of disease”, or those who are likely to spread the disease such as food handlers in markets and groceries, must likewise be tested.
“Para sa ekonomiya ay kailangang mai-test ang lahat ng nagta-trabaho sa mga ecozones. ‘Pag ang isa ay may sakit, ay mabilis na kakalat sa loob ng mga pabrika,” Remulla said.
(Everyone who works in the ecozones should be tested. If one of them gets sick, it can quickly spread to those who work in the factories.)
According to the Department of Health (DOH), there are 251 COVID-19 cases in the province of Cavite.
The province is also covered by the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until May 15.
Under ECQ, strict home quarantine shall be implemented in all households; transportation shall be suspended; provision for food and essential services shall be regulated, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce quarantine procedures will be implemented.