MUNTINLUPA CITY–Following equipment bogs, shortage of hard to procure supplies, and an overflow of samples received over the past weeks, the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM), announced a temporary downscaling to address multiple factors that have constrained its full delivery of COVID-19 testing services. “This does not mean we will be closing continue reading : RITM addresses equipment, supply issues, employee health
MUNTINLUPA CITY—In light of the coronavirus pandemic, more hospitals and private laboratories have shown interest in setting up their own COVID-19 testing centers. To date, more than 90 laboratories have expressed their intention to obtain certification, but only a total of 56 applications have been submitted to the Department of Health (DOH). Of this number, 16 have already continue reading : COVID-19 testing labs grow in number
MUNTINLUPA CITY – Due to the pressing need to expand the country’s testing capabilities to diagnose suspected COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine urges interested laboratories and hospitals to adhere to the multistage process for COVID-19 lab assessment. At present, groups are advised to write a letter of intent addressed to continue reading : Labs to undergo assessment before COVID-19 testing
MUNTINLUPA CITY—Given the complexity of conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of suspected COVID-19 cases, the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH–RITM) reiterates that molecular diagnostics laboratories to be established by local government units (LGUs) and other interested parties must first undergo proper evaluation and proficiency tests. RITM Director Celia Carlos highlighted that conforming to biosafety principles is a precondition to continue reading : Assessment of testing labs crucial for COVID-19 results accuracy
MUNTINLUPA CITY—A string of malicious text messages being circulated among infectious diseases (ID) specialists prompted the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH–RITM) Director Celia Carlos to clarify that RITM accepts the testing of all viable samples from COVID-19 patients and suspected cases. “I do not screen who should undergo testing and who should not—it is within the discretion of the attending medical doctor to continue reading : We receive and test all samples that fit the criteria—RITM
MUNTINLUPA CITY—The Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH–RITM) calls on the local government units (LGUs) and other private laboratories expressing their intention to establish COVID-19 testing centers to exercise the utmost diligence in complying with all laboratory standards for molecular diagnostics (MolDx) before being accredited to perform COVID-19 tests. “We greatly appreciate all parties who expressed continue reading : RITM reiterates biosafety protocols for LGU, private COVID-19 testing centers
MUNTINLUPA CITY — As the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) strengthens its outbreak response, representatives from subnational laboratories (SNLs) are being trained on the screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19. This initiative reinforces disease surveillance and outbreak response with or without community transmission of continue reading : RITM strengthens subnational labs, COVID-19 response
MANILA CITY—Following their training and proficiency exam at the Department of Health-Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM), subnational laboratories (SNLs) are fully primed to diagnose COVID-19 through laboratory-based Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. DOH-RITM Director Dr. Celia Carlos assured their readiness to ascertain suspected COVID-19 cases during the recently concluded press briefing held in Santa continue reading : SNLs proficient at diagnosing COVID-19
MANILA CITY— During the press briefing at the Department of Health (DOH) yesterday, World Health Organization (WHO) Representative to the Philippines Dr. Rabindra Abeyasinghe clarified that having symptoms of respiratory illnesses such as flu does not automatically mean having COVID-19. “We want to clearly define who is affected, find out if there is transmission beyond continue reading : Having flu doesn’t mean you have COVID-19′ —WHO