The Davao City government on Monday (Sept. 13) temporarily suspended the free RT-PCR swab testing services for residents who are not close contacts with a COVID-19 positive individual.
In a radio interview, COVID-19 Task Force Spokesperson Dr. Michelle Schlosser reported that the city is currently experiencing a limited supply of COVID-19 test kits.
According to Schlosser, high risk individuals will be prioritized in the free RT-PCR testing.
In addition, the molecular laboratory extraction machine at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) that is being used to run swab specimens needed to undergo maintenance repair.
Due to the repair, only 450 specimens will be processed through the Los Amigos Molecular Laboratory, instead of the supposed 1,500 specimens being run per day by the two molecular laboratories.
In a separate radio interview, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte said that the city’s health group had an “internal agreement to give leeway” to those high risk individuals that need to be tested for COVID-19. – CF – rir
