DOH: COVID-19 total cases now 10,794; new ADB-funded testing lab opens in Pampanga
By Analou De Vera
The total number of persons infected with the novel coronavirus in the country is now 10,794, the Department of Health (DOH) reported on Sunday (May 10).
Based on the latest case bulletin, the DOH said 184 new infections were recorded.
The majority of the new cases were detected in the National Capital Region with 77, followed by Central Visayas with 75. The remaining 32 cases were recorded in other regions.
The DOH also said 82 new patients have recovered from COVID-19, with the total number of recoveries now at 1,924.
Meanwhile, the death toll was pushed to 719 after the Health department recorded 15 new fatalities among COVID-19 patients.
Worldwide coronavirus cases are now at 3,855,788, including 265,862 deaths, said the World Health Organization in its situational report on Saturday (May 9).
COVID-19 laboratory in Pampanga
In a related development, the DOH also announced the recent launch of the molecular and diagnostic pathology laboratory of the Jose B. Lingad Memorial General Hospital (JBLMGH) in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The DOH said the laboratory was funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
“The JBLMGH was the recipient of the US$2.5 million dollar-grant from the ADB to set up a pandemic sub-national reference laboratory which will ramp up the country’s testing capacity by an additional 3,000 tests daily,” the Health department said in a statement on Sunday evening.
“The $2.5 million dollar-grant from ADB covers the construction of the new laboratory building, as well as the procurement of testing machines, personal protective equipment, and other medical supplies needed in the operation of the laboratory.”
The DOH said the laboratory is expected to start its operations Sunday (May 10).
“There is still much to do to ensure that our health system is fully equipped to handle both the detection and treatment of COVID-19, as well as other emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases with pandemic potential,” Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.
“The laboratory is expected to support research on other pathogens, genetic diseases, and cancer after the pandemic,” he added.