The Philippine government has finally shared details regarding the mass testing of persons under investigation and monitoring (PUIs and PUMs) for the COVID-19 vir us.

During a press conference held earlier tonight, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr. shared that the government is already fast-tracking the accreditation process for laboratories and that they expect mass testing of PUIs and PUMs to begin by April 14, 2020. That’ s less than two weeks from now.

“On massive testing for PUIs and PUMs, we are also determined to fast-track the accreditation of substantial laboratories so we can start massive testing of the PUIs and PUMs,” Galvez told the media tonig ht.

“We expect that by April 14 we shall be able to start massive testing.”

Currently, there are 2,633 recorded COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, with 107 deaths and 51 recoveries so far. Most of the coronavirus cases in the country have been recorded in the National Capital Region, with Quezon City dealing wi th the most number of patients.

Galvez also said that exactly when the enhanced quarantine period will be lifted depends on the recommendation of the government’s COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (I-ATF) The official added that a technical working group is already looking at options regarding the li fting of the quarantine period.

“We will wait for the technical working committee’s recommendation. My duty is only to implement,” he said. “I will only recommend some options, but the I-ATF will decide and recommend it to the President.”

Are you satisfied with the government’s efforts to speed-up the mass testing of COVID-19 PUIs and PUMs in the Philippines? Let us know what you think in the comments.