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

1. Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), Muntinlupa City
2. A Star Laboratories (formerly Z Diagnostics)
3. AL Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Makati City
4. Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Marikina City
5. Army General Hospital Molecular Laboratory, Taguig City
6. Asian Hospital and Medical Center, Muntinlupa City
7. BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc, Makati City
8. BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc (E Rodriguez), Quezon City
9. Cardinal Santos Medical Center, San Juan City
10. Caloocan City North Medical Center
11. Chinese General Hospital, Manila
12. De Los Santos Medical Center, Quezon City
13. Detoxicare Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory, Mandaluyong City
14. Dr Jose B Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Caloocan City
15. East Avenue Medical Center, Quezon City
16. El Roi Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Manila
17. Ermita Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Manila
18. Fe del Mundo Medical Center, Quezon City
19. First Aide Diagnostic Center, Manila
20. Health Delivery Systems, Mandaluyong City
21. Health Metrics, Makati City
22. Healthway Medical, Mandaluyong City
23. Hero Laboratories, Quezon City
24. Hi-Precision Diagnostics, Quezon City
25. Interpharma Solutions Philippines (formerly Zuellig Pharma Solutions), Taguig City
26. Intramuros Molecular Laboratory, Manila
27. JT Cenica Medical Health System, Pasay City
28. Kairos Diagnostic Laboratory, Quezon City
29. Kaiser Medical Center Inc, Makati City
30. Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
31. Lifecore Biointegrative Inc, Taguig City
32. Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
33. Makati Medical Center
34. Manila Diagnostic Center for OFW
35. Manila Doctors Hospital
36. Manila Healthtek Inc, Marikina City
37. Marikina Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
38. National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City
39. New World Diagnostics Inc Premium Medical Branch, Pasig City
40. Olayn Medical Laboratory, Manila
41. Ospital ng Muntinlupa
42. Pasig City Children’s Hospital – Child’s Hope
43. PCR MED Molecular Laboratory
44. Philippine Airport Diagnostic Laboratory
45. Philippine Children’s Medical Center, Quezon City
46. Philippine Genome Center, Quezon City
47. Philippine Red Cross – National Blood Center, Mandaluyong City
48. Philippine Red Cross – Logistics and Multi-purpose Center, Mandaluyong City
49. Philippine Red Cross – Port Area, Manila
50. PNP Crime Laboratory, Quezon City
51. PNP General Hospital, Quezon City
52. QR Medical Laboratories Inc (VitaCare), Taguig City
53. Quezon City Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory
54. Safeguard DNA Diagnostics, Mandaluyong City
55. San Lazaro Hospital, Manila
56. San Miguel Foundation Testing Laboratory, Mandaluyong City
57. Singapore Diagnostics, Makati City
58. South Super Hi-Way Molecular Diagnostic Lab, Parañaque City
59. St Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City
60. St Luke’s Medical Center, Taguig City
61. Sta Ana Hospital, Manila
62. Supercare Medical Services Inc, Manila
63. Taguig City Molecular Laboratory
64. The Lord’s Grace Medical and Industrial Clinic, Pasay City
65. The Medical City, Pasig City
66. The Premier Molecular Diagnostics, Parañaque City
67. Tropical Disease Foundation, Makati City
68. University of Perpetual Help System Dalta, Las Piñas City
69. University of the East Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City
70. University of the Philippines (UP) National Institutes of Health, Manila
71. UP Philippine General Hospital – Medical Research Laboratory, Manila
72. Valenzuela Hope Molecular Laboratory
73. Veterans Memorial Medical Center, Quezon City
74. Victoriano Luna Medical Center (AFRIMS Collaborative Molecular Laboratory), Quezon City

CAR

1. Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, Baguio City
2. Luis Hora Memorial Regional Hospital, Bauko, Mountain Province
3. Parkway Medical and Diagnostic Center, Baguio City

Ilocos Region

1. Dagupan Doctors Villaflor Memorial Hospital, Pangasinan
2. Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union
3. Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, Batac City, Ilocos Norte
4. Pangasinan Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
5. Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

Cagayan Valley

1. Cagayan Valley Medical Center Molecular Laboratory, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
2. Philippine Red Cross Isabela Molecular Laboratory, Ilagan City
3. San Antonio City of Ilagan Hospital, Isabela
4. Southern Isabela Medical Center, Santiago City

Central Luzon

1. Bataan General Hospital, Balanga City, Bataan
2. Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City, Bulacan
3. Graman Medical & Maternity Hospital Inc Molecular Laboratory, Malolos City, Bulacan
4. Green City Medical Center, San Fernando City, Pampanga
5. Jose B Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital, San Fernando City, Pampanga
6. Marilao Medical and Diagnostic Clinic, Bulacan
7. Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Medical Center Molecular Laboratory, San Fernando City, Pampanga
8. Philippine Red Cross – Logistics and Training Center, Subic, Zambales
9. Philippine Red Cross Clark Molecular Laboratory, Pampanga
10. Qualimed Hospital – San Jose del Monte, Bulacan
11. Tarlac Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory

Calabarzon

1. Batangas Medical Center, Batangas City
2. Calamba Medical Center, Laguna
3. Daniel O. Mercado Medical Center, Tanauan City, Batangas
4. De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute, Dasmariñas City, Cavite
5. Fatima University Medical Center – Antipolo City
6. GentriMed Molecular Laboratory, General Trias City, Cavite
7. Laguna Holy Family Hospital, Santa Cruz
8. Laguna Provincial Hospital – San Pablo District Hospital
9. Lucena United Doctors Hospital and Medical Center, Quezon
10. Mary Mediatrix Medical Center, Lipa City, Batangas
11. Ospital ng Imus, Cavite
12. Philippine Red Cross – Batangas Chapter Molecular Laboratory
13. Qualimed Hospital Sta. Rosa, Laguna
14. San Pablo College Medical Center, Laguna
15. Stark Molecular Laboratory Inc, Kawit, Cavite
16. UP Los Baños COVID-19 Molecular Laboratory, Laguna

Bicol Region

1. Bicol Regional Diagnostics and Reference Laboratory, Legazpi City, Albay
2. Metro Health Specialist Hospital, Sorsogon City, Sorsogon

Western Visayas

1. Bacolod Queen of Mercy Hospital, Bacolod City
2. Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital, Bacolod City
3. Dr Pablo O Torre Memorial Hospital, Bacolod City
4. Dr Rafael S Tumbokon Memorial Hospital, Kalibo, Aklan
5. Iloilo Provincial Hospital, Pototan, Iloilo
6. Metro Iloilo Hospital and Medical Center, Iloilo City
7. Philippine Red Cross – Negros Occidental Molecular Laboratory, Bacolod City
8. Philippine Red Cross – Passi City Molecular Laboratory, Iloilo
9. Qualimed Health Network – Iloilo, Iloilo City
10. Roxas City Diagnostic and Laboratory Center, Capiz
11. Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital Molecular Laboratory, Capiz
12. Teresita Jalandoni Provincial Hospital, Silay City, Negros Occidental
13. The Doctors Hospital Inc, Bacolod City
14. Uswag Iloilo Molecular Laboratory, Iloilo City
15. Western Visayas Medical Center, Iloilo City
16. Western Visayas State University Medical Center, Iloilo City

Central Visayas

1. Allegiant Regional Care Hospital, Lapu-Lapu City
2. Biopath Clinical Diagnostics – AFRIMS, Cebu City
3. Bohol Containerized PCR Laboratory
4. Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital, Cebu City
5. Cebu TB Reference Laboratory
6. Chong Hua Hospital, Cebu City
7. Governor Celestino Gallares Memorial Medical Center, Tagbilaran City, Bohol
8. Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital, Dumaguete City
9. Perpetual Succour Hospital of Cebu, Cebu City
10. Philippine Red Cross – Cebu Chapter, Cebu City
11. Prime Care Alpha COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, Lapu-Lapu City
12. University of Cebu Medical Center, Mandaue City
13. Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center, Cebu City

Eastern Visayas

1. Divine Word Hospital, Tacloban City, Leyte
2. Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center, Tacloban City, Leyte
3. OSPA – Farmers’ Medical Center, Ormoc City, Leyte

Zamboanga Peninsula

1. Ciudad Medical Zamboanga, Zamboanga City
2. Philippine Red Cross – Molecular Biology Laboratory, Zamboanga City
3. Zamboanga City Medical Center – DA Satellite Lab
4. Zamboanga del Sur Medical Center PCR Laboratory, Pagadian City

Northern Mindanao

1. Lanao del Norte COVID-19 Testing Laboratory, Kapatagan, Lanao del Norte
2. Maria Reyna Xavier University Hospital, Cagayan de Oro City
3. Northern Mindanao TB Regional Center, Cagayan de Oro City
4. Philippine Red Cross – Cagayan de Oro Chapter
5. Polymedic Medical Plaza, Cagayan de Oro City

Davao Region

1. Davao International Airport Laboratory, Davao City
2. Davao One World Diagnostic Center, Davao City
3. Davao Regional Medical Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte
4. PRO 11 RT-PCR Molecular Laboratory, Davao City
5. Southern Philippines Medical Center, Davao City
6. Southern Philippines Medical Center – Pop-up, Davao City

Soccsksargen

1. Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Cotabato City
2. Dr Jorge P Royeca Hospital, General Santos City, South Cotabato

Caraga

1. Butuan Medical Center, Agusan del Norte
2. Democrito O Plaza Memorial Hospital, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur
3. Philippine Red Cross Molecular Laboratory, Surigao del Norte

BARMM

1. 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

1. Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Marikina City
2. Amosup Seamen’s Hospital, Manila
3. BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc, Makati City
4. BioPath Clinical Diagnostic Inc (E. Rodriguez), Quezon City
5. Dr Jose B Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, Caloocan City
6. IOM Manila Health Center Laboratory, Makati City
7. Jose R Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Manila
8. Las Piñas General Hospital and Satellite Trauma Center
9. Lung Center of the Philippines, Quezon City
10. National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City
11. Philippine General Hospital, Manila
12. Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City
13. Rizal Medical Center, Pasig City
14. St Luke’s Medical Center, Quezon City
15. St Luke’s Medical Center (HB), Taguig City
16. Sta Ana Hospital – Closed System Molecular Laboratory, Manila
17. Tondo Medical Center, Manila
18. Victoriano Luna Medical Center (AFRIMS), Quezon City

Ilocos Region

1. Ilocos Training Regional Medical Center, San Fernando City, La Union
2. Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital, Batac City, Ilocos Norte
3. Region 1 Medical Center, Dagupan City, Pangasinan

Cagayan Valley

1. CHD TB Reference Laboratory, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan

Central Luzon

1. Bataan General Hospital, Balanga City
2. Bulacan Medical Center, Malolos City
3. Central Luzon Doctors’ Hospital, Tarlac City, Tarlac
4. President Ramon Magsaysay Provincial Hospital, Iba, Zambales
5. Tarlac Provincial Hospital

Calabarzon

1. Batangas Medical Center, Batangas City
2. Rakkk Prophet Medical Center Inc, Gumaca, Quezon
3. Santa Rosa City Health Office, Laguna

Mimaropa

1. Culion Sanitarium and General Hospital, Palawan
2. Occidental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Mamburao
3. Oriental Mindoro Provincial Hospital, Calapan City
4. Ospital ng Palawan, Puerto Princesa City
5. Puerto Galera Molecular Laboratory, Oriental Mindoro

Bicol Region

1. Bicol Medical Center, Naga City, Camarines Sur

Central Visayas

1. Biopath Clinical Diagnostics – AFRIMS, Cebu City
2. Cebu TB Reference Laboratory

Zamboanga Peninsula

1. West Metro Medical Center, Zamboanga City
2. Zamboanga City Medical Center

Northern Mindanao

1. Northern Mindanao Medical Center, Cagayan de Oro City

Davao Region

1. Davao Doctors Hospital, Davao City
2. Davao Regional Medical Center, Tagum City, Davao del Norte

Soccsksargen

1. Dr Arturo P. Pingoy Medical Center, Koronadal City, South Cotabato
2. St Elizabeth Hospital, General Santos City

Soccsksargen/BARMM

1. Amai Pakpak Medical Center, Marawi City, Lanao del Sur
2. Cotabato Regional Medical Center, Cotabato City

Caraga

1. Butuan Medical Center, Butuan City, Agusan del Norte
2. Caraga Regional Hospital, Surigao City, Surigao del Norte
3. 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