DOH Central Visayas test lab for COVID-19 not yet activated
CEBU CITY –– For lack of coronavirus test kits, the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) has not activated its testing laboratory for the region yet.
DOH-7 Director Jaime Bernadas said they were still awaiting the arrival of the COVID-19 test kits promised by the DOH central office for the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, a DOH-managed hospital, which was earlier identified as a sub-national level testing laboratory.
The DOH-7, he said, were promised 500 test kits.
Bernadas said proficiency and training for those handling the laboratory were already in place.
He said they have set criteria for those who would be given swab tests and that not all of those manifesting symptoms would be admitted or given the test.
The COVID-19 test kits cost around P8,000 to P11,000 per head.
“That is why our COVID-19 testing is limited. We have criteria because we still cannot afford the luxury of testing everybody,” he said.
As of Sunday, March 15, there were 68 persons under investigation in Central Visayas. Some were confined in the hospitals, while others were in self-isolation in their homes./lzb
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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
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