The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has disclosed it can now process COVID-19 tests in two to three days, shorter than the previous five to seven days turnaround time.
RITM Director Celia Carlos said they can now do 900 to 1,000 COVID-19 tests per day.
“Bumaba na po ang ating turnaround time. ‘Yun po ang panahon bago naming mairelease ‘yung results mula sa panahon na maideliver sa amin ‘yung samples (Turnaround time has been shortened. It’s the time before we release the results from the day the samples are delivered),” Carlos shared.
“Umaabot na lang po sa 48 to 72 hours in the last few days. So malaking improvement na po ito at sana ay masustain natin nang tuluyan (It has been shortened to 48 to 72 hours in the last few days. This is a big improvement and we hope to sustain this continuously),” she added.
The RITM also reported it has certified five laboratories to conduct COVID-19 testing. The said laboratories can do 200 tests per day.
The Department of Health (DOH) said St. Luke’s Medical Center in Quezon City and BGC may start testing COVID-19 this week, while the Lung Center of the Philippines will start testing tomorrow, March 31.
The DOH has assured to provide enough personal protective equipment for health workers.
DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said the health department has bought 1 million PPEs worth Php 1.8 billion and is now awaiting delivery.
Meanwhile, there are no new reported recoveries from COVID-19. The number of confirmed cases in the country has soared to 1,546, with 78 deaths. – Report from Mark Fetalco
