ABS-CBN
Operational issues hamper COVID-19 labs’ testing capacity: Vergeire
The Department of Health (DOH) clarified that the 32,000 daily COVID-19 testing figure is the country's estimated maximum capacity, not the actual number of tests conducted.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that actual daily tests conducted remain between 8,500 to 9,500.
The 32,000 figure represents the potential testing output under ideal conditions with all resources functioning optimally.
Factors such as supply availability, personnel issues, equipment malfunctions, and infrastructure problems can hinder laboratories from reaching their maximum capacity.
Vergeire cited examples like typhoon damage to a Bicol lab, equipment issues at UP NIH, and ceiling leaks affecting PRC during heavy rain as hindrances.
The Philippines currently has 42 licensed laboratories for COVID-19 testing, with 17 more expected to be licensed soon.
The DOH has deployed teams to expedite the licensing process for Stage 3 and 4 laboratories.
Additionally, automated extraction machines and new RT-PCR machines have been added to existing labs to improve processing times and capacity.
The country reported 14,319 total COVID-19 cases, with 284 new cases, 74 recoveries, and five deaths on May 25, 2020.
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