Gov’t tests nearly 10M for virus

MANILA, Philippines — The government is set to hit its target of conducting 10 million COVID-19 tests by the first quarter of 2021 and may even exceed it, according to Bases Conversion Development Authority chief Vince Dizon, who is in charge of overseeing testing in the country.

Dizon said the Philippines had so far conducted 6.5 million COVID-19 tests and would hit the 7-million mark by the end of the year.

“By 2021, we are confident that we will reach and exceed our target of 10 million tests by the first quarter of 2021,” Dizon said at an online briefing.

“One of the most important interventions is detection so that we can identify who are infected with COVID-19. Because if we have detected them, we will be able to immediately isolate them and trace their contacts,” he said.

This played a significant role in bringing down the number of COVID-19 cases in the country since July and August when a surge was reported, he said.

Dizon said the country’s testing capacity has improved since February when only one laboratory was capable of testing for COVID-19.

Now there are 200 laboratories conducting the tests, he said.

But he said this was no reason to be complacent.

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