The Philippines is now aiming for a ‘targeted’ tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) that will see tests conducted for up to 2% of the total population of the country.
Presidential Spokesperson Secretary Harry Roque revealed the plan during an interview with CNN Philippines where he stated that the country aims to emulate model countries who have successfully conducted testing among large numbers of their residents.
“Right now, we’re trying to follow the footsteps of South Korea. That is why the goal is to test 1.5 to 2 percent of the total population. You can’t test 110 million persons, but in any case, no country in the world can test every single citizen they have,” Roque said.
The one to two percent estimate accounts for testing of 2.2 million individuals in the coming days, following statistics of the country that point to a total population of 110 million.
Secretary Roque also clarified his statement on allegedly leaving the private sector to conduct tests for their employees. Roque stated that his statement was a response to a reporter’s inquiry.
“What I did say was in response to the question on the DOH (Department of Health) guidelines on COVID testing, and until now, there is no such rule that employees will have to present COVID test results before they can be allowed to go back to work. But it’s not accurate to say that we don’t have a mass testing policy,” said Secretary Roque.
As of press time, the country is still working on its goal to conduct 30,000 COVID-19 tests per day by the end of May.
Authorities have already rolled out ‘progressive’ expanded testing covering high-risk patients, including the elderly, pregnant women, individuals showing severe flu-like smptoms, and healthcare workers with respiratory symptoms.
