SUMMARY
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Governments around the world have responded in various ways to contain the coronavirus outbreak, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared as a pandemic.
In the Philippines, besides lockdowns or community quarantines over some areas in the country, the government is also stepping up its efforts to test suspected cases of COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus.
As of Sunday, February 7, all laboratory tests on the coronavirus are conducted at full scale in 168 facilities in the country:
Metro Manila
- Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Muntinlupa City
- A Star Laboratories (formerly Z Diagnostics)
- AL Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Makati City
- Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Marikina City
- Army General Hospital Molecular Laboratory, Taguig City
- Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Muntinlupa City
- BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc, Makati City
- BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc (E Rodriguez), Quezon City
- Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan City
- Caloocan City North Medical Center
- Chinese General Hospital, Manila
- De Los Santos Medical Center, Quezon City
- Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Mandaluyong City
- Dr Jose B Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Caloocan City
- East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City
- El Roi Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Manila
- Ermita Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Manila
- Fe del Mundo Medical Center, Quezon City
- First Aide Diagnostic Center, Manila
- Health Delivery Systems, Mandaluyong City
- Health Metrics, Makati City
- Healthway Medical, Mandaluyong City
- Hero Laboratories, Quezon City
- Hi-Precision Diagnostics, Quezon City
- Interpharma Solutions Philippines (formerly Zuellig Pharma Solutions), Taguig City
- Intramuros Molecular Laboratory, Manila
- JT Cenica Medical Health System, Pasay City
- Kairos Diagnostic Laboratory, Quezon City
- Kaiser Medical Center Inc, Makati City
- Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
- Lifecore Biointegrative Inc, Taguig City
- Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
- Makati Medical Center
- Manila Diagnostic Center for OFW
- Manila Doctors Hospital
- Manila Healthtek Inc, Marikina City
- Marikina Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
- National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City
- New World Diagnostics Inc Premium Medical Branch, Pasig City
- Olayn Medical Laboratory, Manila
- Ospital ng Muntinlupa
- Pasig City Children’s Hospital – Child’s Hope
- PCR MED Molecular Laboratory
- Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory
- Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon City
- Philippine Genome Center, Quezon City
- Philippine Red Cross – National Blood Center, Mandaluyong City
- Philippine Red Cross – Logistics and Multi-purpose Center, Mandaluyong City
- Philippine Red Cross – Port Area, Manila
- PNP Crime Laboratory, Quezon City
- PNP General Hospital, Quezon City
- QR Medical Laboratories Inc (VitaCare), Taguig City
- Quezon City Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
- Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Mandaluyong City
- San Lazaro Hospital, Manila
- San Miguel Foundation Testing Laboratory, Mandaluyong City
- Singapore Diagnostics, Makati City
- South Super Hi-Way Molecular Diagnostic Lab, Parañaque City
- St Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City
- St Luke’s Medical Center, Taguig City
- Sta Ana Hospital, Manila
- Supercare Medical Services Inc, Manila
- Taguig City Molecular Laboratory
- The Lord’s Grace Medical and Industrial Clinic, Pasay City
- The Medical City, Pasig City
- The Premier Molecular Diagnostics, Parañaque City
- Tropical Disease Foundation, Makati City
- University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, Las Piñas City
- University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City
- University of the Philippines (UP) National Institutes of Health, Manila
- UP Philippine General Hospital – Medical Research Laboratory, Manila
- Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory
- Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City
- Victoriano Luna Medical Center (AFRIMS Collaborative Molecular Laboratory), Quezon City
CAR
- Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Baguio City
- Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Bauko, Mountain Province
- Parkway Medical and Diagnostic Center, Baguio City
Ilocos Region
- Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital, Pangasinan
- Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union
- Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, Batac City, Ilocos Norte
- Pangasinan Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
- Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Cagayan Valley
- Cagayan Valley Medical Center Molecular Laboratory, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
- Philippine Red Cross Isabela Molecular Laboratory, Ilagan City
- San Antonio City of Ilagan Hospital, Isabela
- Southern Isabela Medical Center, Santiago City
Central Luzon
- Bataan General Hospital, Balanga City, Bataan
- Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
- Graman Medical & Maternity Hospital Inc Molecular Laboratory, Malolos City, Bulacan
- Green City Medical Center, San Fernando City, Pampanga
- Jose B Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, San Fernando City, Pampanga
- Marilao Medical and Diagnostic Clinic, Bulacan
- Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center Molecular Laboratory, San Fernando City, Pampanga
- Philippine Red Cross – Logistics and Training Center, Subic, Zambales
- Philippine Red Cross Clark Molecular Laboratory, Pampanga
- Qualimed Hospital – San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
- Tarlac Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory
Calabarzon
- Batangas Medical Center, Batangas City
- Calamba Medical Center, Laguna
- Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center, Tanauan City, Batangas
- De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas City, Cavite
- Fatima University Medical Center – Antipolo City
- GentriMed Molecular Laboratory, General Trias City, Cavite
- Laguna Holy Family Hospital, Santa Cruz
- Laguna Provincial Hospital – San Pablo District Hospital
- Lucena United Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Quezon
- Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Lipa City, Batangas
- Ospital ng Imus, Cavite
- Philippine Red Cross – Batangas Chapter Molecular Laboratory
- Qualimed Hospital Sta. Rosa, Laguna
- San Pablo College Medical Center, Laguna
- Stark Molecular Laboratory Inc, Kawit, Cavite
- UP Los Baños COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory, Laguna
Bicol Region
- Bicol Regional Diagnostics and Reference Laboratory, Legazpi City, Albay
- Metro Health Specialist Hospital, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
Western Visayas
- Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, Bacolod City
- Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Bacolod City
- Dr Pablo O Torre Memorial Hospital, Bacolod City
- Dr Rafael S Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, Kalibo, Aklan
- Iloilo Provincial Hospital, Pototan, Iloilo
- Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center, Iloilo City
- Philippine Red Cross – Negros Occidental Molecular Laboratory, Bacolod City
- Philippine Red Cross – Passi City Molecular Laboratory, Iloilo
- Qualimed Health Network – Iloilo, Iloilo City
- Roxas City Diagnostic and Laboratory Center, Capiz
- Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory, Capiz
- Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Silay City, Negros Occidental
- The Doctors Hospital Inc, Bacolod City
- Uswag Iloilo Molecular Laboratory, Iloilo City
- Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City
- Western Visayas State University Medical Center, Iloilo City
Central Visayas
- Allegiant Regional Care Hospital, Lapu-Lapu City
- Biopath Clinical Diagnostics – AFRIMS, Cebu City
- Bohol Containerized PCR Laboratory
- Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Cebu City
- Cebu TB Reference Laboratory
- Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City
- Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
- Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, Dumaguete City
- Perpetual Succour Hospital of Cebu, Cebu City
- Philippine Red Cross – Cebu Chapter, Cebu City
- Prime Care Alpha COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, Lapu-Lapu City
- University of Cebu Medical Center, Mandaue City
- Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City
Eastern Visayas
- Divine Word Hospital, Tacloban City, Leyte
- Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Tacloban City, Leyte
- OSPA – Farmers’ Medical Center, Ormoc City, Leyte
Zamboanga Peninsula
- Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, Zamboanga City
- Philippine Red Cross – Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga City Medical Center – DA Satellite Lab
- Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center PCR Laboratory, Pagadian City
Northern Mindanao
- Lanao del Norte COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte
- Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital, Cagayan de Oro City
- Northern Mindanao TB Regional Center, Cagayan de Oro City
- Philippine Red Cross – Cagayan de Oro Chapter
- Polymedic Medical Plaza, Cagayan de Oro City
Davao Region
- Davao International Airport Laboratory, Davao City
- Davao One World Diagnostic Center, Davao City
- Davao Regional Medical Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
- PRO 11 RT-PCR Molecular Laboratory, Davao City
- Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City
- Southern Philippines Medical Center – Pop-up, Davao City
Soccsksargen
- Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Cotabato City
- Dr Jorge P Royeca Hospital, General Santos City, South Cotabato
Caraga
- Butuan Medical Center, Agusan del Norte
- Democrito O Plaza Memorial Hospital, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
- Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory, Surigao del Norte
BARMM
- Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
(The BioPath Clinical Diagnostics-Cebu had been on the list before, but was not listed by DOH in its situation report citing January 9 data.)
The Department of Health (DOH) also reported 50 facilities that have been accredited to conduct RT-PCR tests using GeneXpert:
Metro Manila
- Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Marikina City
- Amosup Seamen’s Hospital, Manila
- BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc, Makati City
- BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc (E. Rodriguez), Quezon City
- Dr Jose B Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Caloocan City
- IOM Manila Health Center Laboratory, Makati City
- Jose R Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila
- Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
- Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
- National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City
- Philippine General Hospital, Manila
- Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City
- Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City
- St Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City
- St Luke’s Medical Center (HB), Taguig City
- Sta Ana Hospital – Closed System Molecular Laboratory, Manila
- Tondo Medical Center, Manila
- Victoriano Luna Medical Center (AFRIMS), Quezon City
Ilocos Region
- Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union
- Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, Batac City, Ilocos Norte
- Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City, Pangasinan
Cagayan Valley
- CHD TB Reference Laboratory, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
Central Luzon
- Bataan General Hospital, Balanga City
- Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City
- Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital, Tarlac City, Tarlac
- President Ramon Magsaysay Provincial Hospital, Iba, Zambales
- Tarlac Provincial Hospital
Calabarzon
- Batangas Medical Center, Batangas City
- Rakkk Prophet Medical Center Inc, Gumaca, Quezon
- Santa Rosa City Health Office, Laguna
Mimaropa
- Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, Palawan
- Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Mamburao
- Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Calapan City
- Ospital ng Palawan, Puerto Princesa City
- Puerto Galera Molecular Laboratory, Oriental Mindoro
Bicol Region
- Bicol Medical Center, Naga City, Camarines Sur
Central Visayas
- Biopath Clinical Diagnostics – AFRIMS, Cebu City
- Cebu TB Reference Laboratory
Zamboanga Peninsula
- West Metro Medical Center, Zamboanga City
- Zamboanga City Medical Center
Northern Mindanao
- Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Cagayan de Oro City
Davao Region
- Davao Doctors Hospital, Davao City
- Davao Regional Medical Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
Soccsksargen
- Dr Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
- St Elizabeth Hospital, General Santos City
Soccsksargen/BARMM
- Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
- Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Cotabato City
Caraga
- Butuan Medical Center, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
- Caraga Regional Hospital, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
- Manuel J Santos Hospital, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
The RITM certified these laboratories to screen for COVID-19. All have reached Stage 5 of the accreditation process, which means they have been “certified and allowed to process and test samples at full scale.”
RITM is the country’s national reference laboratory for infectious and tropical diseases. It is under the DOH.
A person who exhibits virus symptoms or has a travel or exposure history in relation to the virus may proceed to any hospital to be admitted to designated isolation areas, where samples will be taken and brought to the testing center. (READ: When you need to get tested for coronavirus – or not)
The DOH explained that persons under investigation or PUIs will be tested only if they are experiencing severe manifestations of the symptoms. However, elderly people who exhibit symptoms, whether mild or severe, as well as persons with underlying medical conditions will automatically get tested for possible infection.
Before RITM was accredited, samples from the Philippines were sent to the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory in Melbourne, Australia.
Coming soon
As of Sunday, at least 47 other laboratories – both for RT-PCR tests and Gene Xpert labs – are being prepared to handle tests. Among them, 3 are on Stage 4 of the accreditation process, while 29 are on Stage 3.
In mid-April, some cities like Quezon City, Valenzuela, and Manila began localized or targeted testing for people who may have the virus.
Testing kits
Besides access to testing centers, the availability of testing kits is also important in diagnosing persons under investigation for the coronavirus.
Currently, RITM is running tests with primers sourced from a referral laboratory in Japan, but it has a limited supply. There is also a 24-to-48-hour processing period for the test results.
On March 30, Vergeire said that the RITM can now process “900 to 1,000 samples per day” while the others can process “more than 200 samples per day.”
However, she earlier said that for now, the tests will be limited to severe and vulnerable PUIs.
On March 16, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III announced that rapid test kits from South Korea and China were donated to the country to allow for more tests. These test kits can turn up results within hours.
On March 28, though, the DOH said it had discarded some test kits from China because of its poor accuracy. Then it clarified the next day, March 29, that the test kits they discarded were “donated by a private foundation,” while the ones given by the Chinese government “were at par” with test kits provided by the WHO.
To help expand DOH’s testing capacities, UP NIH scientists said they have developed a test kit for the coronavirus. Health authorities approved it for mass use on April 3, after weeks of validation and field-testing. The test kits can accommodate up to 120,000 tests and are capable of fast detection of coronavirus in samples taken from patients, with results ready in two hours.
Separately, on March 20, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved 4 test kit products for commercial use.
Earlier, the FDA reminded the public to avoid buying home test kits sold online that have no approval from them yet.
The WHO on Tuesday, March 17, called on countries worldwide to test “every suspected case” of COVID-19.
In the Philippines, as of February 8, there are 538,995 cases of the coronavirus, with 11,231 deaths and 499,772 recoveries. Globally, the number of cases as of February 8 has risen to over 105.8 million. The global death toll stands at more than 2.31 million. – with reports from Mara Cepeda and Bonz Magsambol/Rappler.com
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