Palace asks DOH to test more amid capacity

Malacañang urged the Department of Health (DOH) to increase the number of actual COVID-19 tests conducted daily, as the daily testing count falls short of the country's overall testing capacity.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque stated that the country's testing capacity reached 32,100 per day, exceeding the May target, with 42 accredited testing facilities.

The DOH clarified that the national testing capacity refers to the capability of licensed laboratories, not the actual number of tests performed daily, which averages between 8,500 to 9,500.

To boost testing, the government has partnered with the private sector, including the Philippine National Red Cross, to ramp up targeted testing.

The government aims to further enhance testing, especially with the expected arrival of more returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in the coming months.

Additional testing capacity was recently added by providing provinces with machines and testing kits to facilitate testing for returning OFWs.

The target is to increase the number of testing facilities from 42 to 66 by the end of the month.

Improving efficiency by enhancing human resources, managing supply chains, and improving data management are crucial steps to fully utilize the country's testing capacity.