Gov't eyes using antigen tests along with RT-PCR for COVID-19

As part of efforts to curb the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Philippines is looking to test residents with antigen test kits during house-to-house visitations, Malacañang announced Saturday.

In a live briefing, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the government will order 500,000 antigen test kits to augment the country’s RT-PCR tests.

“Kaya nga po nag augment na po tayo no. Meron po kasi namang brand ng antigen test na napaka taas ng efficacy rate na inaprubahan din ng ating [Food and Drug Administration] at [Department of Health],” he said.

[That’s why we augmented our testing kits. There’s a brand of antigen tests that has a high efficacy rate that was approved by the FDA and DOH.]

“Ito po ay gagamitin lalong-lalong na doon sa code. ito po yung pagbabahay bahay na naghahanap tayo ng mga may sintomas at itong mga sintomatas ay ite-test at ia-isolate,” he added.

[This is what we’re going to use, especially on the code. This will be house-to-house visitations during which we will look for individuals with symptoms. Those who have symptoms will be tested and isolated.]

Roque said the house-to-house visitation will be conducted in areas under a granular lockdown.

“Ito po ‘yung mga areas talaga kung saan magbabahay-bahay ang DOH at ang mga lokal na opisyales, naghahanap po ng mga mamamayan natin na merong mga sintomas para ma-test at ma-isolate,” he said.

[These are the areas where DOH and local officials will conduct house-to-house visitations looking for residents with symptoms to be tested and isolated.]

Roque said the Philippines must intensify its testing efforts as the number of COVID-19 cases surged in the past weeks.

On Friday, the country recorded an all-high time record of 9,838 new cases, which pushed the total active cases in the country past 100,000.

The Philippines on Saturday recorded 9,595 infections, marking the second consecutive day where more than 9,000 new cases were reported, bringing the total confirmed cases to 712,442.

“[A] alam po natin na kapag tumataas ang numero, mas marami pang test na kinakilangan gawin natin kada araw,” he said.

[We know that when the numbers rise, we must test more per day.]

The National Capital Region, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal will be placed under an enhanced community quarantine starting March 29 until Sunday, April 4. — DVM, GMA News