Robredo urges swab testing of LSIs

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday urged the swab testing of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) before they are sent back home to avoid the rise of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections in the provinces.

In her weekly radio show, Robredo lamented that the increase in COVID-19 cases in the provinces was caused by a lack of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based testing for LSIs.

“Halimbawa, kung may programa na Balik Probinsya, o may programa na iyong locally stranded dadalhin na sa probinsya, sana i-swab test muna, kasi alam naman natin na iyong rapid test nga hindi masyadong... hindi accurate,” she said.

“Kaya sa akin, wala akong objection dito sa pagpauwi, kasi kung kailangan, pero sana, bago nga pauwiin, sana available na iyong swab test, kasi ito sana iyong makakapigil, ito iyong makakapigil para hindi na mag-spread iyong virus,” she added.

At present, only a negative rapid test is required for clearance to go home.

The Department of Health (DOH) has explained that rapid tests are prone to false positives or false negatives while PCR-based tests remain the “gold standard.”

While the government has said that it will soon require PCR-based testing for LSIs before they can travel back to the province, the Philippine National Police said swab tests are not yet required. 

The DOH earlier said the rise in COVID-19 cases in the provinces should not be blamed on LSIs, but data show that many of the new infections recorded in several areas in the Visayas and Mindanao were LSIs or returning Filipino migrant workers. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News