Red Cross to start directly informing individuals of COVID-19 test results

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will immediately start informing individuals who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 of their condition, instead of waiting for the Department of Health (DOH) to do so.

In a statement over the weekend, the PRC said it was given the authorization which it had requested from the DOH after concerns that individuals who tested positive were not being informed in a timely manner resulting in the spread of the disease in communities.

Previously, the PRC informed individuals if they tested negative for the virus, but sent out the positive results to the DOH which was "better equipped" to enforce government-mandated health and safety protocols as embodied in the law.

"We welcome the DOH authorization, given the urgency of the situation where more positive COVID cases are recorded in our country. They may have been dangerously increasing community transmission of the disease," said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Senator Richard Gordon.

"We have devised a mechanism for releasing positive results to the individuals concerned without compromising the necessary protocols," he added.

According to Gordon, the results will be released to individuals, accompanied by steps that they should follow, along with psychological support from PRC doctors.

"Once the Bayanihan to Recover As One Act or Bayanihan 2 is signed into law and implemented, masasabihan na din namin sila kung saang ospital o quarantine facility sila pwedeng pumunta dahil may provision dun na mage-establish ng National Referral System for COVID-19 which will be jointly developed by the DOH and the PRC," said Gordon.

Separately, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the DOH had no objection to the PRC initiative.

"The Department of Health confirms that the Philippine Red Cross may release both positive and negative results directly to the patients and individuals tested," he was quoted as saying in a letter.

"The DOH, notes and poses no objection to the proposed mechanism of PRC that the positive results shall initially be released to the DOH prior to individuals to trigger appropriate surveillance efforts of the national government and concerned local governments," he added.

As of Saturday, August 22, 2020, the Philippines has so far recorded a total of 187,249 confirmed cases of COVID-19. This includes 114,928 recoveries and 2,966 deaths. — DVM, GMA News