The Department of Health (DOH) has clarified that the proper term for the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) tests being conducted by the government is “Expanded Targeted Testing” not “Mass Testing.”
DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire explained that the government is focused on testing individuals who have possibly contracted the virus to fully maximize resources.
“Yung pinalabas nating expanded testing, sabi po namin, isa sa principles na gagamitin natin sa pagpapatupad nito is that of being progressive (One of the principles of the expanded testing is that of being progressive). Ibig sabihin, pag enough na ang resources natin, (It means that when our resources are enough) we can already expand to other sectors of the population.”
According to the DOH, even if asymptomatic persons with exposure are tested, the chances of an asymptomatic person to have the virus are low and the person might be given a false negative result.
“For example for today, gagawin natin yan, bukas may panibagong sets of exposure ang mga tao (we to do that today, tomorrow people have new sets of exposure). Do we need to do it again? Experts are saying that even with RT-PCR, you still miss one third of your population,” DOH Usec. Vergeire explained.
Meanwhile, the health department assured that there is enough supply of testing kits in the country while awaiting the COVID-19 vaccine that may be available in 2021. – Report from Mark Fetalco
