10 days past target date: PH finally hits 8,000 COVID-19 tests a day

In this file photo, Health Secretary Francisco Duque and Usec. Maria Rosario Vergeire update the public on the COVID-19 cases. Screengrab from the DOH Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines finally attained on Sunday its target to conduct 8,000 COVID-19 tests in a day. This is, however, 10 days past the Department of Health’s (DOH) target date of April 30.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said in a tweet: “8,637 tests in one day. We are committed to strengthening the testing capacity of the country despite the numerous challenges.”

8,637 tests in one day. We are committed to strengthening the testing capacity of the country despite the numerous challenges. #BeatCOVID19 #WeHealAsOne #COVID19PH https://t.co/JCAVIlK4Dk

— Francisco T. Duque III (@SecDuque) May 11, 2020

In a televised press briefing Monday, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the tests were done on 158,176 unique individuals.

The government missed its goal of conducting 8,000 coronavirus testing by the end of April amid appeals for mass testing.

Despite this, the DOH again set another target: 30,000 daily tests by the end of May.

So far, the Philippines has 26 accredited laboratories capable of detecting the SARS CoV-2—the virus that causes COVID-19.

Aside from the 26 testing centers that already passed the 5-stage accreditation process, Vergeire said there are three more laboratories on Stage 4 and 30 laboratories on Stage 3.

The government said it is eyeing to have a total of 78 COVID-19 testing centers by the end of the month to reach its 30,000 test goal.

The Philippines has 11,086 confirmed cases of the respiratory illness, including 1,999 recoveries and 726 deaths.

JPV