Gov’t still far from reaching COVID testing target – VP

With the increasing number of confirmed coronavirus cases, Vice President (VP) Leni Robredo called on the administration to fast-track and increase COVID-19 testing nationwide to address the outbreak.

Speaking on her weekly radio show, Robredo noted the government has yet to reach its target testing capacity of 30,000 per day since the start of the outbreak in the country.

“Noong huli tayong nag-usap, Ka Ely, parang nasa 8,000 pa lang. Ngayon, iyong pinakahuling balita nasa 14,500 pa lang tayo a day. Sobrang layo pa nito sa target, so kailangan mas bilisan pa (The last time we talked, Ely, we were at 8,000 only. Now, the last news is we are at 14,500 a day. We are still far from the target, so we have to hasten the tests),” she said.

The Vice President cited problems arising from the damages left by Tyhoon “Ambo” that would affect wider mass testing.

“Iyong sa Bicol, iisa na nga lang iyong testing center, na-damage pa ng Typhoon Ambo. So ano talaga, maraming mga problemang aayusin at ihahabol (In Bicol, the one and only testing center was damaged by Typhoon Ambo. So we really have to fix many problems and catch up),” she said.

The Department of Health (DOH) has increased its testing capacity, and is targeting to achieve 30,000 tests per day by end of the month.

Four mega swabbing centers have been put up at the Mall of Asia Arena, Pasay City; Enderun Tent, Taguig City; Philippine Arena, Bocaue, Bulacan; and Palacio de Manila in Manila.

There are currently 30 accredited testing laboratories, and the government also targets to expand this number to 66 nationwide by May 30.

Robredo has called for mass testing since the start of the outbreak to get a better grasp of the COVID-19 situation in the county and thus contain the outbreak as soon as possible.

The Vice President reiterated that the enforcement of quarantine measures won’t be enough to curb the coronavirus, citing the importance of massive testing and effective contract-tracing.