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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider DOST, DOH to set up specimen collection booths around the country

DOST, DOH to set up specimen collection booths around the country

Published Apr 18, 2020 12:00 am
By Dhel Nazario The Derpatment of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Department of Health (DOH) will partner in setting up the specimen collection booths across the country as part of improving the country's testing capabilities. The DOH expressed gratitude earlier to DOST for accepting their request to set up the specimen collection booths which will gather samples from patients who will undergo the COVID-19 mass testing. The Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases said that the improvement of the testing capabilities remains a top government priority. "As the IATF repeatedly stresses, improving our testing capabilities is one of government’s top priorities. Yesterday we announced that we have 16 testing centers nationwide, and the DOH reports that more will be operational soon once they are certified," Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said in his virtual presser on Friday. "Initially, the DOST plans to set up at least 132 specimen collection booths in different regions nationwide. Salamat po sa DOST at DOH," he added. According to DOST Secretary Fortunato dela Pena, here is the number of specimen booths in every region: NCR – 34; CAR – 6; Region 1 - 6; Region 2 – 6; Region 3 – 8; Region 4A – 4; Region 4B – 2; Region 5 – 5; Region 6 – 6; Region 7 – 7; Region 8 – 3; Region 9 – 10; Region 10 – 5; Region 11 – 4; Region 12 – 3; Caraga Region - 4; DOH Centers for Health Development (CHD) Offices (Select locations across the country) - 19. The DOST will announce soon the additional details regarding the facilities which were chosen to be collection booths.
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