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Testing for asymptomatic persons to prioritize ‘high-risk’ possible carriers —Vergeire

By JOVILAND RITA, GMA News

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said the protocol for COVID-19 testing has been revised now including asymptomatic persons who are ‘high-risk’ possible carriers.

“Tayo po ay nag-revised ng ating protocol for testing,” Vergeire said in an interview on GMA Network’s Unang Hirit.


“'Yung expanded testing natin, i-include na rin po natin 'yung mga high risk  na tinitignan natin na maaaring  maging asymptomatic at maaring may dalang impeksyon,” she added.

Vergeire explained the expanded testing will cover high risk populations even if they do not show any symptoms. She noted it does not mean that all people will undergo testing.

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“When we say it's a high risk population, for example, the population in a closed setting katulad po ng jail, nursing homes, ’yun pong ating mga frontliners na iba,” she said.

According to Vergeire, aside from health care workers, the frontliners in the government response against the virus like personnel from the Philippine National Police and the Coast Guard are considered for testing.

Also, patients undergoing treatment like dialysis, chemotherapy, and operation are also considered as high-risk populations.

In the previous Department of Health protocol, only those with symptoms and exposure to COVID-19 patients, including returning overseas Filipino workers, are subjected to mandatory COVID-19 tests.—AOL, GMA News