The Department of Health (DOH) is set to issue omnibus guidelines regarding the different kinds of Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.
According to DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, a symptomatic individual must immediately undergo the RT-PCR test while the asymptomatic individual with exposure to the virus must be tested 5 to 7 days after being exposed to a positive case.
However, even if the RT-PCR is the gold standard, the DOH has pointed out that it also has its weakness.
“’Pag negative po kayo sa RT-PCR, depende po ‘yan doon sa timing ng pagkakakuha sa inyo ng sample para masabi po natin na talagang negative po kayo. Wala pong test methodology for COVID-19 ngayon na perfect. (If you tested negative with the RT-PCR, it depends on the timing in getting your sample to really say for sure that you are negative. There is currently no perfect test methodology for COVID-19).”
Meanwhile, the Antigen test detects the viral protein. It is most effective 1 to 5 days after the symptoms have been manifested.
The Rapid Antibody Test is best conducted 14 days after the onset of the illness since it detects the antibody not the virus. However, it is not recommended for those who will return to work or those who will enter the country or a certain province.
“Those coming from low-risk areas, we do symptoms-check, not just during the time that they are coming in, you have to take the history. ‘Yung past 14 days bago siya dumating sa inyo, kailangan makuha niyo ‘yun. Kung nagka-sintomas siya ever, kailangan mo rin i-isolate ‘yung tao na ‘yan (14 days before their arrival in your area must be recorded. If he/she had symptoms, you need to isolate that person). Now, for those who have no symptoms, they can go ahead but they have to comply with the minimum health standards.”
