DOH: Philippines not capable of COVID-19 mass testing for employees

The Philippines does not have the capacity to conduct mass testing on employees for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Department of Health said Wednesday.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi po natin ipagkakaila, hindi po natin kaya ang  mass testing for all employees kapag gumamit tayo ng RT-PCR (real-time polymerase chain reaction) na mga laboratoryo natin,” Health Undersecretary Rosario Vergeire said in an Unang Balita interview.

Vergeire then said experts in the country also do not recommend mass testing for employees since it will not guarantee identification of those infected with COVID-19.

“Sinasabi po ng mga eksperto, wala pong perpektong measure o laboratoryo…na proseso, sa ngayon, para sa COVID-19,” Vergeire said.

“May mami-miss at mami-miss ka pa rin kahit RT-PCR ang gamitin mo,” she added.

Given the situation, Vergeire said experts have recommended that symptomatic screening should be prioritized.

“Kung sino ang may sintomas, ihiwalay na at i-test. Sa ganitong paraan, mase-segregate natin sila at hindi sila makakapanghawa,” she added.

Based on DOH data, the number of individuals tested for COVID-19 is at least 158,384. The total number of COVID-19 tests conducted, on the other hand, is at 173,352.

It was Trade Secretary Mon Lopez who suggested that there should be mass testing of employees before they go back to work, and that the costs of the tests should be shouldered by the private sector employers.

President Rodrigo Duterte has placed Luzon under enhanced community quarantine since March 16, a measure that banned mass transport and prohibited mass gathering that resulted in work stoppage in many industries.

Only the National Capital Region, Laguna, and Cebu City will remain under enhanced community quarantine from May 16 to 31. This measure, however, was modified to allow opening of manufacturing and processing plants, but only with 50% workforce at maximum.

Likewise, mass transportation for essential goods/services will also be allowed in areas under modified enhanced community quarantine.

The Philippines has recorded 11,350 COVID-19 cases as of May 12. Of this number, 2,106 recovered while 751 died.—AOL, GMA News