PH has 83 labs licensed for COVID-19 tests

The Philippines now has 83 laboratories licensed to conduct independent testing for COVID-19.

DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire reported that the country's labs conducted an average of 19,459 tests per day in the past week, with a record high of 23,104 on July 7.

Vergeire also noted that when the first case was recorded in January, the Philippines lacked testing capacity and had to send samples abroad for testing due to global shortages and lack of standard procedures.