Coronavirus: Philippines reports 11 new cases as stocks of testing kits dwindle

The country of 105 million had just 2,000 coronavirus test kits available earlier this week as the number of people wanting to be diagnosed surged

The shortage of diagnostic kits underscores resource constraints and the rising costs that countries face as the virus spreads globally

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People wear masks as a precautionary measure against the spread of coronavirus in Manila on Tuesday. Photo: AP

Published: 3:55pm, 10 Mar 2020Updated: 3:55pm, 10 Mar 2020

The Philippines, with a population of more than 100 million, had only 2,000 novel coronavirus test kits available earlier this week as the number of confirmed infections in the country jumped on Tuesday to 35.

Its government once had 4,500 kits in stock, but the number dwindled to 2,000 by Monday as the number of people who wanted to be diagnosed surged, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Monday. Confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian nation increased by 11 on Tuesday.

The limited number of testing kits is constraining the country’s ability to test more people for the virus, Health Secretary Francisco Duque said this week, making people showing any symptoms a priority.

The shortage of diagnostic kits in the Philippines underscores resource constraints and rising costs that countries face as the virus spreads globally. Singapore said on Monday that it would stop funding treatments for short-term visitors including tourists while testing will remain free for everyone.

Philippine Health Secretary Francisco Duque gestures during a press conference on Monday. Photo: EPA

“Will we test 104 million Filipinos? That doesn’t seem to be the correct approach,” Philippines’ Duque said on Tuesday.