Baguio faces testing kit shortage amid high COVID-19 testing numbers

Baguio City has tested nearly a tenth of its projected 372,680 residents for COVID-19, with 33,970 individuals undergoing RT-PCR and Rapid Diagnostic Tests as of August 4.

The city's random mass testing initiative, which began in June, aimed to assess the true COVID-19 situation and detect asymptomatic cases for prompt isolation and treatment.

Swab samples were processed at the molecular laboratory of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC), a DOH-managed facility.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong highlighted the importance of swab testing in contact tracing, noting an average of 37 close contacts per COVID-19 case.

Despite the high testing numbers, Baguio City is now facing a shortage of testing kits, with only 19,000 remaining from an initial procurement of 40,000.

The city currently conducts an average of 462 RT-PCR tests and 75 RDTs per day.