Gov’t to let private sector step in to conduct mass testing for COVID-19

or Antibody Rapid Test Kits, which has produced test kits for the use of barangays as well as for workers looking to return to work.

Project ARK medical team chief Dra. Minguita Padilla said the private sector has also procured additional reverse transmission-polymerase chain reaction or RT-PCR kits to be used sparingly with the rapid tests kits. Earlier, the DOH said PCR-based tests remain the “gold standard” in determining if patients had contracted the novel coronavirus as rapid test kits can produce false-negative results that can lead to the further spread of the virus.

The country so far has 30 laboratories nationwide that are capable of detecting the virus using RT-PCR tests. Meanwhile, five laboratories are accredited to use GeneXpert rapid test kits, which can yield results within 45 minutes.by the end of May—a goal it set after failing to reach its initial target of 8,000 daily tests by the end of April.

Mounting calls for mass testing of suspected coronavirus carriers have prompted government to increase its testing capacity, but the DOH also noted that country also has limited laboratory capacity to process those tests.

We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

inquirerdotnet /  🏆 3. in PH

Philippines Latest News, Philippines Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

Manila city gov’t building own COVID-19 testing labManila Mayor Francisco “Isko
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

Manila gov’t building COVID-19 testing laboratory in Sta. Ana HospitalThe Manila City government is setting up its own COVID-19 testing laboratory to help trace cases in the coming months, Mayor Francisco 'Isko' Moreno said on Saturday.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »

PNP hunts down Cebu barangay captain for organizing cockfighting amid COVID-19 threatPolice are now hunting down a barangay captain who was accused of repeatedly organizing illegal cockfighting in his barangay in Cebu despite the strict implementation of quarantine rules that include prohibition against mass gathering.
Source: manilabulletin - 🏆 25. / 51 Read more »

This religious congregation has already distributed P13.9M worth of COVID-19 aid
Source: ANCALERTS - 🏆 26. / 50 Read more »

COVID-19 positive man refuses to be taken to hospital, hugs neighbors in rageJAKARTA — A 40-year-old man initialed as AR, who has tested positive for COVID-19, has caused a commotion as he refused to be taken to the hospital by a team of medical workers and fumed at his
Source: inquirerdotnet - 🏆 3. / 86 Read more »

Another total lockdown may be needed if COVID-19 cases surge — DOHThe Department of Health says any sharp increase in new COVID-19 cases in the coming days may lead authorities to reimpose strict quarantine rules that this weekend were eased in several areas of the country.
Source: CNN Philippines - 🏆 13. / 63 Read more »