Gov't eyes 8,000 daily COVID-19 tests by April end

The Philippine government is aiming to increase its daily COVID-19 testing capacity to 8,000 by the end of April.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles stated that this ramp-up in testing is crucial for faster detection, contact tracing, isolation, and treatment to curb the virus's spread.

Mass testing, set to begin on April 14, will prioritize hospitalized patients (especially the elderly, pregnant, and those with pre-existing conditions) and healthcare workers.

The country currently has 15 accredited testing centers, with an additional 28 institutions undergoing certification and 37 more expressing interest.

To support this, the government has distributed 60,060 sets of personal protective equipment (PPE) to healthcare facilities and aims to increase this supply.

The overall goal is to 'flatten the curve,' prevent overwhelming healthcare facilities, and ultimately reduce deaths and increase recoveries.