The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday announced 467 fresh and 163 late confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total count to 30,682. The recovery tally surpassed the 8,000 mark at 8,143 after 250 new recoveries were recorded while the death toll increased to 1,177 after eight patients succumbed to the disease.
Regarding testing laboratories, the DOH disclosed there are now a total of 63 licensed laboratories in the country, 46 of which are RT-PCR while 17 are GeneXpert. The health department said it has ordered laboratories to regularly report its inventory of supplies to prepare for any possible shortage and to ensure unhampered operations.
“Gumawa rin tayo ng zoning guidelines kung saan nakikipagtulungan ang laboratoryo sa isa’t isa kapag naaantala o bumababa ang kapasidad ng ating laboratories dahil sa operational issues (We have made zoning guidelines for laboratories to help each other in case there is a delay or reduced capacity brought about by operational issues),” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire shared.
Meanwhile, sociologist Dr. Nina Castillo-Carandang emphasized the importance of faith, mutual support, and social solidarity to manage stress amid the pandemic.
“Kailangan tanggapin natin na posibleng may pinagdadaanan, mayroon tayong problema tulad ng pagkabalisa. Pero tandaan po natin, it’s ok not to be ok (We need to accept that that there’s a possibility that we are going through something like anxiety. But we need to remember, it’s okay not to be okay),” Carandang pointed out.
She also urged the public to strive for social connectivity while observing physical
distancing. – Report from Mark Fetalco
