Over 500,000 COVID-19 tests conducted in Philippines – NTF

June 19, 2020

The Philippines has already conducted over half a million tests for coronavirus infections, the National Task Force Against COVID-19 said Friday.

In the dayender virtual press briefing, NTF Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. said that tests could further increase to nearly 10 million once the RT-PCR test kits that the government is buying arrive.

"As of now, we have conducted 553,197 tests nationwide," he said, adding that the government and private laboratories have reached 15,000 actual tests conducted on June 16, the highest so far in a day. "We are looking to increase this dramatically once our supply chain will be solved by next week," he said, noting the procurement of 239,857 RT-PCR test kits which could approximately test 8,544,282 individuals. Galvez said the Department of Budget and Management would also procure additional 15,700 test kits, which could test 1,293,750 more individuals. "Having all these test kits, we will now be able to test nine million eight hundred thirty-eight thousand and thirty-two (9,838,032) in total," he said. Currently, he said there are 62 accredited testing laboratories with 46 RT-PCR labs and 16 GeneXpert labs. The official said 156 more laboratories are waiting for their accreditation and license to operate. Celerina Monte/DMS