MAASIN CITY, Aug. 26 (PIA) -- The Department of Health (DOH) does not use rapid diagnostic antibody test for screening or detecting the presence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in a person because this is inaccurate.
If such a test is used, “baka magkamali lang tayo ng management sa mga kaso,” Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire of the Department of Health (DOH) said during the Laging Handa Network Briefing Monday, August 24, hosted by Secretary Martin Andanar of the Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO).
Vergeire made the statement in response to an appeal by Gingoog City Mayor Erick Cañosa, that returning LSIs or ROFs be administered with a baseline test, such as rapid diagnostic test (RDT), so as to limit local transmission of confirmed cases once they return to the city.
“Unang-una hindi po tayo gumagamit ng rapid diagnostic test. Ito nga ang recommendation ng DOH na ang rapid antibody test should not be used to screen kasi inaccurate siya, baka magkamali lang tayo ng management sa mga kaso,” Vergeire said.
She assured that overseas Filipinos are tested as soon as they get in at their holding area, and they are quarantined until the test results are out, and until they go back to the provinces.
But on coming home to their provinces, Vergeire emphasized strict isolation, adding that even if LSIs and ROFs do not get tested, they should be isolated on entering the provinces.
“Pag tini-test natin sila dito sa Maynila, pag-uwi nila sa inyo, ay hindi na natin alam kung nagkaroon na sila ng exposure along the way na sila ay going to your areas. Test is a one-time event, a point in time event. Test today, tomorrow different exposure,” Vergeire explained.
As a parting message, Vergeire quoted the BIDA Solusyon mantra the DOH propagated to keep the pandemic at bay: B-Bawal walang mask; I-Isanitize ang mga kamay, iwas hawak sa mga bagay; D-Dumistansiya ng isang metro; at A-Alamin ang totoong impormasyon.
“Isapuso at isaisip natin ang ating responsibilidad para sa pamilya at komunidad. Maging BIDA,” Vergeire stressed. (ldl/mmp/PIA8-Southern Leyte)
Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)
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