NTF spox: Gov’t still checking other testing measures as antigen testing in Baguio ‘failed’

The spokesman of the National Task Force against COVID-19 on Wednesday said the government continues to look for other testing measures for COVID-19.

At the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum, retired major general Restituto Padilla said the results of the pilot run of antigen testing in Baguio City did not pass the standards of the Department of Health.

He explained that more than half of the results of the antigen test were compatible with the results of the RT-PCR test, but still under the required parameter. Padilla said the DOH wants it to be 85% compatible.

"Ang antigen test po na ginawa doon na pilot test, unfortunately ay hindi pumasa. So naghahanap pa po tayo ng isa pang testing protocol. Ang lumabas po doon sa Baguio, kasi sabay hong ginawa ang PCR test at antigen test, ang lumabas pong resulta kung di ako nagkakamali mahigit kalahati lang po ang tugma ng antigen test sa lumabas na resulta ng PCR test," Padilla said.

"Gusto po ng DOH na at least 85% sana ang tugma so humahanap pa po tayo ng mga bagong testing protocol na mabilis tulad ng saliva test or breath test na maaaring magpabilis sa pagtest sa ating mananakay sa airline industry at sa iba pang public transportation lalo sa mga barko," he added.

Padilla said the government is checking saliva or breath tests for the disease aside from the RT-PCR, which is known as the gold standard of the COVID-19 tests.

He said tests that could release results in a shorter period of time can help in boosting the economy, including the tourism industry.

"Actually, the desire of our airlines is to have a faster turn around test, 'yung mas mabilis kasi ang PCR test ho kailangan pang dalhin sa laboratoryo at inaabot pa po ng isang araw sa pinakamabilis o ilang oras," Padilla said.

"May mga lumalabas na bagong testing protocols ngayon tulad ng antigen na maaaring magpabilis sa galaw ng tao. Maaaring ito ang magbigay ng buhay sa ekonomiya kasi 'yung ating airlines maaari nang bigyan ng pagkakataon na bumilis bilis ang pagtransport ng kababayan natin," he added.

Earlier, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said antigen testing was being considered to be used as a clearance for tourists and also for communities where RT-PCR testing is not available.

Some tourist destinations have started to open provided that minimum health standards are properly observed. — RSJ, GMA News