China to donate 100,000 more COVID-19 test kits to Philippines

A worker wearing a protective suit disinfects the hand rails of a bus offering free rides to health workers and frontliners after the Philippine government orders the suspension of mass public transport facilities in Quezon City, the Philippines, on March 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian said the assistance includes another 100,000 test kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 respirators, and 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment.

MANILA, March 18 (Xinhua) -- China has decided to donate 100,000 more test kits and other urgently-needed medical supplies to the Philippines to help the southeast Asian country fight COVID-19 spread.

Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian said Wednesday the assistance includes another 100,000 test kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N95 respirators, and 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment.

A woman wearing a face mask is seen taking a free bus ride for health workers and frontliners after the Philippine government orders the suspension of mass public transport facilities in Quezon City, the Philippines, on March 18, 2020. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

China donated 2,000 test kits to the Philippines on Monday.

"The Chinese people stands ready to help their Philippine brothers and sisters to go through this difficult time," Huang said in a statement.

"Thank you, my brother," Philippine Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin tweeted after he was informed of the new donations.

The Philippines now has 202 confirmed coronavirus cases, including 17 deaths. The Department of Health said seven patients have recovered from the viral disease. ■