Duterte ordered DOH to finalize guidelines for COVID-19 rapid testing, Nograles says

President Rodrigo Duterte has directed the Department of Health (DOH) to finalize the guidelines on the use of COVID-19 rapid test kits as the government ramps up testing in order to immediately isolate and treat patients.

In a televised briefing on Thursday, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said  that in view of the President’s directive, the DOH should “formulate the guidelines for the supplementary utilization of government-approved rapid antibody test kits” in cooperation with the department’s technical advisory group.

Recently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved five rapid antibody test kits for the detection of COVID-19 infections in the country.

However, the FDA urged local government chief executives, heads of agencies, hospitals and private companies to be cautious in using these test kits.

It asked doctors to help in testing and guide patients in the interpretation of the results.

“We have to be very cautious in using these rapid test kits because they measure antibodies and not the viral load itself. The body takes time to develop antibodies and this might give a negative result for patients who have been infected but have not yet developed antibodies,” FDA Director General Eric Domingo said in a statement on March 30.

“A positive result due to cross reaction with other bacteria or viruses is also possible, which is why a confirmatory PCR-based test is still required.”

Duterte earlier ordered the purchase of rapid test kits which will be used in conjunction with PCR-based test kits as the latter can detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

DOST-DOH partnership

Earlier in the day, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) said it will establish sample collecting booths nationwide for the mass testing of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a Facebook post, DOST chief Fortunato de la Peña said the regional offices of DOST will partner with the DOH in setting up the specimen collection booths in the country.

“Magiging katuwang ng DOH ang lahat ng regional offices ng DOST sa paghahatid at pag-iinstall ng mga nasabing specimen collection booths,” he said.

As of Wednesday, the DOH has certified 16 laboratories that are capable of conducting test for COVID-19. It said it is working on strengthening the testing capabilities of more laboratories. — RSJ, GMA News