DOH issues guidelines for self-administered antigen test kits

The self-administered antigen test kits are recommended only for symptomatic individuals within seven days from the onset of symptoms, the Department of Health (DOH) said Tuesday.

Under a memorandum, the DOH said this is recommended “especially if the capacity for timely RT-PCR results is limited or not available.”

However, the Health department reiterated that the RT-PCR remains to be the diagnostic method for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the DOH said the self-test kits are not recommended for asymptomatic close contacts and the screening of asymptomatic individuals.

“For other cases not stated above, self-administered antigen testing shall be optional, including for community-level actions wherein case management of probable and confirmed cases remain the same,” it said.

Symptomatic individuals, suspect or probable COVID-19 cases, and their close contacts whose antigen tests yield positive results will be considered positive for COVID-19.

At present, the Food and Drug Administration has approved two antigen self-test kits from Abbott and Labnovation Technologies, Inc.

Reporting

The DOH said all individuals with positive results must report to their Barangay Health Emergency Response Team or healthcare provider.

Meanwhile, local government units and telemedicine providers accredited by the DOH shall implement their own reporting system.

“Reporting of results of self-administered antigen test is mandatory,” it said.

LGUs were also directed to monitor the use of the test kits and to immediately report to the DOH, through the CHDs, all circumstances of indiscriminate use.

Disposal

Meanwhile, the DOH said waste generated from the use of self-administered test kits such as swabs, kits, gloves, and body fluid shall be considered infectious waste and must be separated from other waste.

Waste that has been combined waste from test kits shall also be considered infectious waste.

The DOH said these should be packaged in sealed bags or containers that are leak-resistant, impervious to moisture, and durable.

These should also be labeled “CAUTION: INFECTIOUS WASTES.”

Further, the agency said these should be stored indoors in a well-ventilated area and not around areas used for food preparation or consumption.—AOL, GMA News