RITM Say Philippines Lacks Enough Coronavirus Test Kits
CORONAVIRUS – Research Institute on Tropical Medicine (RITM) said the Philippines lacks enough coronavirus test kits.
The Philippines is one of the high-risk countries from the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). It is the first country outside China to witness a death due to the deadly virus. The first case of COVID-19 was confirmed on January 20, 2020.
On March 7, the coronavirus cases in the country increased to six. The Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the COVID-19 cases in the Philippines rise to 10.
In a previous article, Preside Rodrigo Roa Duterte declared a state of public health emergency amid the coronavirus threat. Kapuso noontime show Eat Bulaga recently announced that they have decided to stop accepting live studio audience due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.
The senators expressed their concern regarding the COVID-19 testing kits during the senate inquiry on Monday, March 9. Based on a report from GMA News, the county only has 2,000 available testing kits.
According to the report, Dr. Rosanna Ditangco from the Research Institute on Tropical Medicine (RITM) spoke before the senators regarding the limited number of COVID-19 testing kits.
“As we speak today, out stock on hand is good for 2,000 tests,” said Ditangco.
She added that the RITM was requesting for an additional P43 million budget for “various needs” and the procurement of the coronavirus testing kits.
Based on the report, another DOH official Dr. Alethea De Guzman said the World Health Organization will provide more equipment. “There’s an incoming 4,500 extraction kits po from WHO. That would be good for 2,000 individuals,” she said.
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