DOH to present to IATF revised policies on quarantine, isolation, testing

The Department of Health will present its updated guidelines on COVID-19 isolation, quarantine, and testing before the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases on Thursday.

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

DOH spokesperson Health Undersecretary Ma. Rosario Vergeire also said the quarantine period of fully vaccinated close contacts would be reduced from 10 days to 7 days from onset of symptoms.

the isolation period for fully vaccinated asymptomatic cases will be reduced from 10 to 7 days from their positive swab test result.

the isolation period of fully vaccinated mild COVID-19 cases would be reduced from 10 days to 7 days from the onset of symptoms.

The isolation period for fully vaccinated asymptomatic COVID-19 cases will be reduced from 10 to 7 days from their positive swab test result.

“DOH issues the policy, but we present to IATF for alignment with other National Government Agencies,” the DOH said in a message to reporters.

“The Town Hall yesterday is only for [healthcare workers'] consultation and meeting,” it added.

“We will release the final set of SMCs regarding this once presented to the IATF,” it later added.

Vergeire said the quarantine period for fully vaccinated close contact of a COVID-19 patient would also be shortened to five days from the previous seven days.

According to the Health undersecretary, the testing of asymptomatic close contacts would no longer be required unless symptoms develop.

Vergeire previously said that contact tracing is no longer prioritized as the agency shifts its focus on community interventions.

She said the Health Department will be prioritizing the testing of the A1, A2, and A3 groups as well as the isolation of individuals.

The Philippines on Thursday logged another all-time high of 34,021 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the nationwide tally to 3,092,409. —NB, GMA News