When is the best time for swab test? Project ARK head says 8 days after COVID-19 exposure

The head of Project ARK (Antibody Rapid Test Kit) on Wednesday said the best time to undergo swab test would be eight days after a person felt he or she has been exposed to COVID-19.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, Dr. Minguita Padilla pointed out that tests for COVID-19, whether PCR or anti-body tests, could have false positive or false negative results, depending on when a person had undergone the test.

"Kunwari na-expose ako today, alam ko na-expose ako sa isang COVID positive. Wala akong sintomas, I just want to be sure. When is the best time for me to do my swab para pinakamataas ang chance na positive ang results kung meron man ako? Eight days after exposure," she said.

LIVE sa DZBB: Dr. @MinguitaPadilla, Project ARK Medical Team head kaugnay ng mass testing para sa COVID-19.

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Padilla cited studies all over the world that observed five to six days is the average period a person will show COVID-19 symptoms after getting exposed.

"The best time, the highest chance of getting a positive PCR, if you have the disease, this is based on national studies, is eight days after exposure. If you do it too early, on the day of exposure, wala kang makukuha," Padilla said.

If a person felt exposed, Padilla said it would be better to undergo self-quarantine first for observation. The individual should then have a swab test, whether he or she showed signs of symptoms or not.

Citing information from the Philippine General Hospital, Padilla said if a person is in an area with a COVID-19 case, the person is unlikely get the virus if he or she is wearing mask, is more than one meter away from the afflicted person, and is practicing proper hand washing. —KBK, GMA News