Philippines to stick with risk-based COVID-19 testing amid Omicron variant —Dizon

The government will stick with risk-based COVID-19 testing amid the emergence of the more transmissible Omicron variant of coronavirus, testing czar Vince Dizon said Monday.

Dizon made the response when asked of the suggestion of Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate that the government should provide free mass testing in areas where there is a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Risk-based testing means providing free RT-PCR tests for those with COVID-19 symptoms and those who are exposed to a COVID-19 case.

"RT-PCR COVID-19 test is free if you are covered under the said risk classification, and this is based on what our experts recommended. Limitado po ang ating resources. Imaginin ninyo, sa 100,000 COVID-19 tests at P2,000 a day, P200 million po agad ang ilalabas ng gobyerno (We have limited resources. Just imagine. Testing 100,000 individuals in a day at P2,000 each would mean the government would have to cough out P200 million upfront)," Dizon said during the Laging Handa briefing.

"Hindi unlimited ang ating resources, at ang pinakaefficient na paraan ay sumunod po tayo sa mga eksperto na kailangan ng RT-PCT test based on risk classification (We don't have unlimited resources, and the most efficient way to deal with this is to implement risk-based RT-PCR testing as recommended by experts)," he added.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong earlier said the city will implement self-testing policy using an antigen test to fasten detection of COVID-19 cases in the city, dubbed as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, due to its cold weather. 

Likewise, Baguio City has also shut its doors to tourists amid the rising COVID-19 cases which health authorities have said could be due to the Omicron variant.

Quizzed if the national government is considering such a policy of self-testing, Dizon said the option is under evaluation.

"This is being studied by our experts and we have to depend  on them. But exercising precaution as a matter of personal responsibility remains very important. That said, we have to get vaccinated [against COVID-19], get the booster shot, and observe health protocols of social distancing, wearing a mask and practicing hygiene," Dizon said.

"We have also prepositioned supply in our laboratories to ensure that we will be able to manage in the event that the surge in COVID-19 cases continues," he added.

Dizon, however, assured the public that the government will intensify its COVID-19 response amid the increasing cases which has breached the 25% mark from less than 1% before Christmas Day in 2021.

"When Alert Level is increased, it is automatic that we will intensify our COVID-19 testing, contact tracing, isolation and treatment. The public can be assured of that," he said.—AOL, GMA News