The first batch of 2,000 coronavirus test kits from China has arrived in Manila, the Chinese Embassy said Monday amid rising cases of infections and deaths in the country.
More test kits and other medical supplies are expected to arrive in the coming days, an embassy statement said.
“The high-tech fast test kits, developed by China BGI Group, have a capability to issue results in 3 hours,” it said.
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According to the embassy, the kits “have been widely used in China’s battle against the epidemic and proven to be quite effective.” It has also been exported to more than 50 countries including Japan, Thailand, Brunei, Egypt, Peru and United Arab Emirates.
The Philippines has recorded 12 deaths and 140 confirmed cases of coronavirus or COVID-19, which originated in China.
The country was initially reported to have only 2,000 test kits for its population of 100 million, hindering government efforts to stem the virus.
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“In light of the epidemic situation in the Philippines, the Chinese government and people, greatly sympathizing with the Philippine side, are very willing to lend a helping hand. China has been sharing our hard-won anti-epidemic experiences, carrying out close medical experts-level cooperation with the Philippine side,” the embassy said.
On March 15, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi assured Philippine counterpart Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin in a phone conversation that China will provide the Philippines with other urgently needed medical materials, such protective suits, and will actively coordinate the dispatch of medical experts to the country.
