GOVPH

As of March 23, 2020 (4PM), the Department of Health reports 82 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 which brings the total number of cases in the country to 462.
Bicol Region as of March 23, 2020 (5PM) has a total of 49 Persons Under Investigation (PUIs). Twenty-one (21) PUIs tested negative for COVID-19, while twenty-eight (28) are awaiting results from RITM.

As of 12NN today, Philippines has 73 new cases (PH308-PH380) of COVID-19 which brings the total number of cases in the country to 380.
Bicol Region as of March 22, 2020 (5PM) has a total of 44 Persons Under Investigation, 18 tested negative for COVID-19, while 26 are awaiting results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).
The country currently has 5 sub-national laboratories processing results for COVID-19 - The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, San Lazaro Hospital, Baguio General Hospital Medical Center, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center.
Except for the five mentioned laboratories, DOH is also setting up two more testing laboratories for COVID-19 - the Western Visayas Medical Center and the BICOL PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY.
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire on a press con said that with the additional laboratories this will speed up the results for the tests on COVID-19. Usec also added that setting up laboratories needs certification.
"Mahalaga po ang pagcecertify ng mga laboratoring ito at hindi ito basta basta. Delikado ang pagsasagawa ng testing lalong lalo na para sa laboratory technicians kaya maingat sa pagcecertify ng mga national laboratories na maaring gumawa ng ganitong testing" Usec Vergeire said.
Currently, there are also four (4) approved laboratory testing kits from FDA. The country also received testing kits from different donors.
"Dahil dito, pati na ang pagooperationalized ng laboratories, mas marami na tayong pasyente na pwedeng ma test" Usec Vergeire added.
The DOH CHD - Bicol together with other agencies are doing everything it can to mobilize all resources in response to COVID-19 including strengthening of surveillance system on suspected patients with COVID-19.
Patience as well as cooperation are asked from the public by remaining calm, by following advisories from the authorities, and by staying at home. Rest assured that the CHD is doing all measures to address all concerns of the region in any way that it can.