DOH already tested more than 19,000 individuals for COVID-19, says Vergeire

The Department of Health (DOH) has already tested more 19,000 individuals for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said on Saturday.

“Meron na tayong 19,000 plus unique individuals that we have tested. Meron na tayong positibo na lumabas na nasa 3,749,” Vegeire said in an interview on Dobol sa News TV.

The Health official explained that the number of positive results do not match with the number of COVID-19 positive cases because some tests are being repeated while an individual is admitted for monitoring purposes.

The Philippines has so far reported 3,018 confirmed cases, with 136 deaths and 52 recoveries.

Of the more than 19,000 tested, 15,398 individuals tested negative for COVID-19 while 49 showed “equivocal” results, according to Vergeire.

Equivocal result means that a person might be either positive or negative and should be tested repeatedly to get the accurate result.

Secretary Carlito Galvez, chief implementer of the national action plan against COVID-19, earlier said the DOH has started “mass testing” for COVID-19. 

“Tama po ‘yan, ang ginagawa natin ngayon is just like mass testing. ‘Yung ating mga vulnerable, ‘yung mga symptomatic ay tinetest na natin sa ngayon,” Vergeire said.

“Ngayon po ma’am, ang ating pina-prioritize ay mga symptomatic, severe cases, mga vulnerable population — matatanda with pre-existing conditions, buntis, health care workers na nagpapakita ng sintomas,” she said.

For asymptomatic, or those who do not show any symptoms of the disease, the Health official said they are being monitored and advised to isolate as long as they declare they have an exposure to a COVID-19 positive individual.

Vergeire noted that the Philippines has sufficient supply of test kits.

“Sa ngayon may sapat pa naman tayong supply ng mga test kits at patuloy ang gobyerno sa pag-procure nito para mapatatag natin ang ating capacity na magsagawa ng test kit,” she said.

“Sa ngayon ang RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine) ay kaya ng magsagawa ng 1,000 test per day; sub-laboratories, 200 per day at yung mga bagong umpisa, 40 per day. Nasa mahigit 2,000 test per day na kaya natin isagawa,” she added. —KG, GMA News