MANILA, Philippines — The laboratory of the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) can now conduct coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests independently, the Department of Health (DOH) announced Wednesday. This brings to 16 the total number of testing centers capable of testing people for the disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus or SARS-CoV 2. But it has said that it plans to run 3,000 tests by April 14, and then 8,000 to 10,000 tests by the end of the month. The DOH reported Tuesday afternoon 291 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the country’s total cases to 5,223 with 335 deaths, and 295 recoveries. For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer April 15, 2020 02:15 UTC