A laboratory for the confirmatory test[2] became operational on January 30.[3] The Philippine Genome Center is also developing a testing kit for the virus and are negotiating with the Department of Health for possible collaboration on the kit's development.[22] A testing kit for the virus was announced on February 4 to have been developed by the University of the Philippines National Institute of Health.[23] The kit was developed two weeks prior to the announcement and is subject to evaluation by the country's Department of Health.[24]