The number of COVID-19 patients in the country has reached 4,932 as the Department of Health (DOH) reported 284 new cases on Monday.
The death toll has climbed to 315 as DOH reported 18 new fatalities, while the number of recovered patients increased to 242 after the department disclosed 45 new recoveries.
The DOH said the expanded COVID-19 testing will push through tomorrow with the help of health workers who are ready to facilitate the tests in laboratories. The DOH clarified not everyone can be tested for the disease.
“Ang mga taong at risk at nangangailangan at magiging prayoridad para sa testing. Ito po ay ang mga pasyente o healthcare worker na may severe or critical o may malulubhang sintomas at may history of exposure o history of travel (Persons at risk and in need are prioritized for testing. They are patients, healthcare workers with critical and severe symptoms, and have history of exposure or history of travel),” DOH USec. Maria Rosario Vergeire said.
“Pangalawa, pasyente o healthcare worker na may mild na sintomas, may history of trabel and contact at considered sya sa vulnerable population, katulad po ng mas nakakatanda, may ibang sakit katulad ng diabetes, altapresyon at iba pa, at yun pong mga buntis. (Second, patients or healthcare workers with mild symptoms, with history of travel and contact; and considered under the vulnerable population, such as elderlies with other illnesses like diabetes, hypertension, and others; and those pregnant),” Vergeire added.
Vergeire said if the government reaches its target testing capacity of 8,000 per day, persons with exposure and travel history with mild symptoms may be included for testing.
There are currently 15 COVID-19 laboratories in the country, while 20 are being processed for accreditation.
The DOH said it is open for other diagnostic approaches, such as Gene Xperts which could speed up the country’s testing capacity. – Report from Mark Fetalco
