DOH: Pooled testing won't be efficient in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19

The pooled testing strategy should only be used in specific sectors and not in areas with high prevalence of COVID-19 infections, according to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Friday.

"Hindi siya magiging efficient kapag ang gagamitan natin ng pooled testing ay areas na mataas ang prevalence—ibig sabihin maraming kaso, maraming clusters. Hindi natin 'yan puwedeng gamitin kasi made-defeat ang purpose ng ating pooled testing," Vergeire said.

"'Pag pinool mo ang mga sample na 'yan, andami pa ring lalabas kasi nga high ang prevalence. So, ibig sabihin ite-test mo pa rin isa-isa ang mga 'yan," she added.

Pooled testing refers to the process of grouping different samples together to maximize laboratory capacity.

“Ipagsasama-sama po ang ibang specimens, at kung negative ang pooled sample, ibig sabihin, negative ang lahat ng specimen na bumubuo no’ng sample na ‘yon,” Vergeire previously explained.

She said this strategy could be used among specific sectors such as vendors and bank tellers, for example.

"Makakapag-save tayo on testing kits and makakapag-save tayo on time when we do this," she added.

The evaluation of the pilot run of pooled testing is expected to be completed next week.—AOL, GMA News