DOH policy makes testing optional for asymptomatic close contacts

The Department of Health on Wednesday disclosed an updated policy making COVID-19 testing optional for asymptomatic close contacts of confirmed cases and persons with mild symptoms.

In a Zoom presentation posted on Facebook, DOH spokesperson Ma. Rosario Vergeire said RT-PCR testing is recommended and prioritized for health care workers, senior citizens, and persons with comorbidities.

“Testing shall now be optional for community level actions. Specifically, testing should not be required for asymptomatic close contacts, instead symptoms monitoring is recommended,” Vergeire said.

“At this point, wherein we already have community transmission, contact tracing is not recommended as a priority intervention,” she said.

In case a person who has been exposed to a COVID-19 positive decided to be tested, Vergeire said it should be at least five days from the day of exposure.

“Testing should be done at least five days from the day of exposure. Testing should not be recommended for screening asymptomatic individuals,” she said.

Priority groups

Vergeire also announced that healthcare workers, senior citizens and persons with comorbidities will be prioritized in the government's RT-PCR testing for COVID-19.

“RT-PCR testing shall be prioritized to A1 (healthcare workers), A2 (senior citizens), and A3 (persons with comorbidities) individual.  This is because those above 60 years old or with comorbidity can be provided with different medicines or antivirals within the first five days of their symptoms,” Health Vergeire said.

“And also for healthcare workers, surveillance or screening of healthcare workers ensures adequate healthcare system capacity to implement care in our facilities,” she added.

Asked if the policies presented were recommendations or proposals, Vergeire told GMA News Online, "We will issue the policy in the next days."

Vergeire also disclosed policies cutting the isolation and quarantine periods for confirmed cases and close contacts amid the steeply increasing number of COVID-19 cases attributed to the Omicron variant.

The Philippines on Wednesday registered 32,246 fresh COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide caseload to 3,058,634.—LDF, GMA News