Based on DOH data, we are testing around 200 patients a day for COVID19, a total of 2147 as of March 26. Meanwhile, our neighbors have tested in greater numbers: Vietnam 30548, Thailand 10343, Malaysia 21855, Singapore 39000. These are countries with smaller populations than us.
Before anyone says these are richer countries than the Philippines, we have a higher GDP per capita than Vietnam (2017 data), which has done 14 times (!) more tests than us. This is not about resources but the sound and timely allocation of those resources.
It’s been 56 days since the first #COVID19 positive case in the Philippines, also the day the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency. It’s been 15 days since the WHO declared corona virus a pandemic.
The call for mass testing is not a frivolous one. It should also go without saying that we should prioritize those with symptoms, frontline healthcare workers, communities with confirmed cases, and NOT VIPs.
It should also be said that our hardworking doctors and scientists at RITM are working themselves to the ground, at great personal risk, to get these tests done. Maraming salamat. Kailangan din nila ng suporta.
Good morning nga pala ☕️
