MANILA – The Philippines is targeting to test at least two percent of its population or 2 million people for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque made the statement on Tuesday as he clarified that the country has a program for expanded targeted testing but only individuals who need to be tested will undergo testing.
“Wala pong perpektong formula, kailangan lang nating sundin ang global benchmark and build capacity to test broadly and swiftly. At ito po ang ating ginagawa,” Roque said in a virtual press conference on Tuesday.
“Mali rin yung ginagamit nating term na mass testing. Ang tawag po dapat ay expanded targeted testing. Wala pong bansa sa buong mundo na tine-test ang lahat ng kanilang mga mamamayan. Kaya nga po mali ang terminong mass testing,” he added.
Roque explained the expanded target testing is being done for critical or severe cases, mild cases but vulnerable, mild cases but not vulnerable, and for asymptomatics but with close contact or with history of travel.
“Kung nagbo-boluntaryo po ang private sector na i-test ang kanilang empleyado bago bumalik sa kanilang mga trabaho, hindi po tututol ang gobyerno, pero hindi po ibig sabihin na walang expanded target testing ang ating bayan,” Roque said.
The Palace spokesperson also noted that the country’s testing capacity has grown to 11,127 tests per day as of May 15 from only 5,000 tests daily as of May 2.
“We plan to be able to reach the capacity of doing 30,000 tests a day,” said Roque, adding that the government has already procured rapid testing kits that were distributed to local government units that do not have existing PCR testing laboratories.
“Kinakailangan lang po na pagka-gumamit ng rapid testing kits eh sumunod po sa istriktong health protocols gaya ng pagsusuot ng mask, social distancing at istriktong isolation protocols habang naghihintay ng confirmatory PCR test kung nag positive po sa rapid test,” Roque said./PN
