China donates test kits, medical supplies to PH

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 21) — The country's efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19 just got a boost after a donation of test kits and medical supplies arrived from China Saturday morning.

The shipment included 100,000 COVID-19 test kits, 100,000 surgical masks, 10,000 N-95 masks and 10,000 sets of personal protective equipment. Department of Foreign Afairs Secretary Teodoro "Teddy Boy" Locsin Jr. was at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to receive the shipment, which was flown in via a chartered flight.

A statement on the Chinese Embassy's Facebook page said, "Ambassador Huang Xilian said that this is a difficult time for both China and the Philippines, who are fighting hard against the novel coronavirus epidemic. China will always remember the valuable support rendered by the Philippine government and people earlier to our fight against the epidemic. As now the Philippines is facing a severe epidemic situation, the Chinese side feels keenly for the Philippine people."

Locsin made note of the "tremendous help" from China and said the assistance was a model for the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health said more test kits would be arriving from other foreign countries, among them Brunei adnd South Korea.