BCDA chief appointed 3T czar for COVID-19 response

Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Vivencio Dizon has been appointed as the country's new 'test, trace, and treat' (3T) czar, tasked with enhancing the nation's COVID-19 testing capacity.

Dizon's designation as Chief Coordinator of the 3T program comes shortly after he was named National Task Force Deputy Chief Implementer for the government's coronavirus response.

Malacañang expressed full trust in Dizon to significantly increase the country's testing capabilities, involving both public and private sectors.

The government is prioritizing the scaling up of healthcare facilities, including testing capacity, to better detect, isolate, and treat COVID-19 patients.

As of May 3, the Philippines has recorded 9,223 COVID-19 cases with 1,214 recoveries, with the increase in cases attributed to expanded testing efforts.

By April 29, over 104,000 polymerase chain reaction tests had been conducted by the government, excluding private sector testing.

The country currently has 22 testing centers for COVID-19, aiming for a daily testing capacity of 20,000.

To manage the pandemic, 15 'We Heal As One Centers' have been established in Metro Manila and nearby provinces, with facilities like Ninoy Aquino Stadium and World Trade Center being utilized for patient care and repatriate quarantine.

Stringent enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures are extended in high-risk areas until May 15, while more relaxed general community quarantine (GCQ) is in place in moderate and low-risk areas.

Decisions on lifting quarantine restrictions will be based on factors such as the number of COVID-19 cases, healthcare capacity, and economic considerations.