Don't wait for testing, isolate immediately if experiencing COVID-19 symptoms - health expert

A health expert said on Friday that instead of waiting for COVID-19 testing, the public should isolate themselves immediately if they are experiencing symptoms to prevent the coronavirus from spreading.

“Please lang po huwag na mag-antay na magpatesting. Hindi na kailangang magpatesting agad-agad, ang importante po agad mag-isolate whether you know you are positive or negative basta may symptoms mag-isolate po,” said Dr. Lulu Bravo, executive director of the Philippine Foundation for Vaccination, in an interview on Balitanghali.

(Please do not wait to get tested. There is no immediate need to get tested. It is important to isolate immediately, whether you know you are positive or negative. As long as there are symptoms, isolate.)

“Kung kayo naman ay nakaexpose or nakasama sa isang may positive considered niyo na rin po ang sarili niyo na maaring makatransmit ulit at makaexpose sa iba so quarantine naman po ang tawag doon,” she added.

(If you have been exposed to COVID-19 or have been in the company of someone who has, assume that you can spread the virus to others and that you should be quarantined.)

She urged them to follow the Department of Health's (DOH) guidelines, which state that they should be tested at least five days after exposure.

In a Zoom presentation posted on Facebook on Wednesday, 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.

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

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.

The Health undersecretary also disclosed policies cutting the isolation and quarantine periods for confirmed cases and close contacts amid the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

The DOH on Friday reported another record high of 37,207 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the Philippines' caseload to 3,129,512. — VBL, GMA News