In an effort to improve the country’s COVID-19 testing program, the government will be establishing specimen collection booths in different regions nationwide. Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases Spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said that at least 132 booths will be set up to complement accredited testing centers.
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According to the Department of Science and Technology Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, the specimen collection booths will be set up in the following regions:
- Metro Manila
- Cordillera Administrative Region
- Ilocos Region
- Cagayan Valley
- Central Luzon
- CALABARZON
- MIMAROPA
- Bicol Region
- Western Visayas
- Central Visayas
- Eastern Visayas
- Zamboanga Peninsula
- Northern Mindanao
- Davao Region
- SOCCSKSARGEN
- Caraga Region
Dela Peña adds that a number of Department of Health Centers for Health Development Offices will also be turned into specimen collection booths. Aside from establishing specimen collection booths, the government is also eyeing to purchase 900,000 polymerase chain reaction-based kits and about two million rapid test kits.
The government began its mass testing efforts earlier this week on Apr. 14. As of writing there are 5,660 COVID-19 cases, with 362 deaths and 435 recoveries.
Header photo by CDC on Unsplash
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Writer: ANGELA PATRICIA SUACILLO
