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Duterte could extend suspension of classes past March 14: Nograles

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FKOtr5pv8m8?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA - President Rodrigo Duterte could extend the suspension of classes in Metro Manila up to next week to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Tuesday.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/09/20/duterte-suspends-classes-in-metro-manila-from-march-10-to-14">Duterte suspends Metro Manila classes from March 10-14 amid COVID-19 threat</a></li></ul>Duterte earlier announced the suspension of classes in all levels in Metro Manila from March 10 to 14 to protect students from the virusNograles said officials initially thought of suspending classes for 14 days.&quot;But we felt it best to just do it for this week and take a look at what the numbers will be tomorrow, the day after, all the way up to Saturday and we will make a decision whether or not to extend it,&quot; he said in an interview on ANC&#x27;s Headstart. He also appealed to parents to make sure that their children stay home.&quot;Sa lahat ng mga magulang sa NCR, please lang. This is for the safety of your children and your family. Please make sure your kids are staying at home and they are studying,&quot; he said. Infectious diseases specialist Rontgene Solante earlier warned students not to take advantage of the class suspensions to go to crowded places like malls.&quot;When you say suspension of classes, it should also be that these children should stay at home instead of going to the malls,&quot; he said in an ANC interview. The Philippines so far confirmed 24 cases of the disease, including one fatality: a Chinese national from Wuhan City in Central China, where the virus was first reported late last year.President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday declared a state of public health emergency to arrest the spread of the novel coronavirus.The respiratory disease has killed nearly 4,000, with more than 110,000 cases recorded in over 100 territories, according to a tally by Agence France-Presse.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/overseas/03/10/20/global-virus-toll-tops-4000-afp-tally">Global virus toll tops 4,000: AFP tally</a></li></ul><div>DUTERTE OKAYS RAPID TESTING KITS</div>In the interview, Nograles said Duterte has approved the use of rapid diagnostic testing kits produced by local company Manila Health Tek amid increased demand due to the rising number of patients that need to be screened for COVID-19. &quot;That will help us doon sa perception na kulang po tayo sa test kits,&quot; Nograles said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/02/14/20/ph-eyes-local-production-of-test-kits-for-covid-19">PH eyes local production of test kits for COVID-19</a></li></ul>He said the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is supporting the move and is willing to use their own funds to support the production.&quot;Sabi ng Manila Health Tek, right now they have about 2000 kits on hand. One thousand can be deployed this week, another 2000 can be deployed next week and another 1,000 more can be deployed the week after,&quot; he said.The Philippines is currently using testing kits prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Nograles said the testing kits are with the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.&quot;Merong test kit &#x27;yung RITM and then meron din rapid diagnostic test kit na sinusuportahan at tinutulak ng DOST to be made available to our different hospitals as well,&quot; he said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/03/10/20/death-fatality-philippines-coronavirus-ncov-covid">Philippines verifying alleged second COVID-19 fatality</a></li></ul>The DOH has 5 sub-national laboratories capable of diagnosing the virus. These are the San Lazaro Hospital and Lung Center of the Philippines in Manila, Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center in Northern Luzon, Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in the Visayas, and Southern Philippines Medical Center in Mindanao.Nograles assured the public that the country has the budget to fight the spread of the coronavirus disease.&quot;We are confident to say that the budget is intact. We have the money. We have everything in place. We just need to make the crucial decision during the most crucial times so that the decision-making matrix is set there in place,&quot; he said.

MANILA - Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Tuesday said a local company has been given the go signal to produce rapid diagnostic testing kits to augment the supply amid increased global demand.

MANILA - Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles on Tuesday said a local company has been given the go signal to produce rapid diagnostic testing kits to augment the supply amid increased global demand.