Gov’t eyes 10 million COVID-19 tests by Q1 next year

December 18, 2020

The government is eyeing 10 million reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests against coronavirus disease by first quarter of next year, an official said on Friday.

In the "Laging Handa" televised press briefing, Bases Conversion and Development Authority President and CEO Vivencio Dizon, who is also the testing czar, said COVID-19 tests have hit over 6.5 million.

"Our initial target is 10 million tests by the first quarter of 2021. Now, we are at 6.5 million and we're on the way to our target," he said.

By the end of this year, Dizon said the government could achieve almost 7 million COVID-19 tests.

He said the team of Public Works and Highways Secretary Mark Villar, who is also the isolation czar, continues to build more quarantine facilities nationwide.

Dizon said they want to make sure that the government is ready in the event COVID-19 cases surge this holiday season.

As of December 17, COVID-19 cases in the Philippines reached 454,447, including 419,902 recoveries and 8,850 deaths. Celerina Monte/DMS