The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the country has now reached 2,311 as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 227 additional cases.
The number of fatalities has also climbed to 96 while 50 have recovered.
The Department of Health (DOH) reported the RITM has already conducted 15,800 tests, while the results of 1,414 are yet to be released.
The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has been conducting 1,000 tests per day while subnational laboratories can process up to 160 specimens on the same period.
DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said the FDA has approved 20 PCRs and six rapid test kits, but advised these are for hospitals and not for household use.
The DOH reiterated health workers are now included in the vulnerable population and may now undergo COVID-19 testing once they experience symptoms.
Aside from PPEs, the DOH has purchased 1,500 ventilators to be used for COVID-19 patients. The total number of isolation beds for levels 2 and 3 hospitals is now at 2,796.
To address decongestion of hospitals, the Quezon Institute is expected to open as a community quarantine facility in the next two weeks. The Rizal Sports Complex, PICC, and World Trade Center are also being eyed to support the measure.
The health department has also assured the sufficient supply of water in hospitals and communities during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Meanwhile, IATF Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles has condemned the acts of violence and discrimination on medical frontliners.
“Threatening the safety of our health workers in the midst of this crisis is unacceptable. And the PNP is committed to apply the full might of the law against those who dare to harm our health workers,” Nograles said. – Report from Mark Fetalco
