The Department of Health (DOH) has updated its interim guidelines on the expanded testing of COVID-19 in line with the increased testing capacity of the country.
Based on Department Memorandum No. 2020-0258, subgroups E and F are now eligible for testing.
Subgroup E covers personnel manning quarantine facilities, barangay health emergency response teams, personnel of Bureau of Corrections and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and social workers.
Subgroup F includes other vulnerable patients such as pregnant women who shall be tested during the peripartum period, and those living in confined spaces and others.
The DOH clarified that not all mentioned in the list will be tested using the RT-PCR. It added that only those with direct contact and direct care without proper PPE with a confirmed case will be tested.
The DOH disclosed on Friday the total number of cases reached 24,787 after 336 fresh cases and 279 late cases were reported. The death toll also rose to 1,052.
Meanwhile, for the third consecutive day, the department reported another record high in recoveries at 289, bringing the recovery count to 5,454.
