Who can use antigen tests in the NCR Bubble?

The Department of Health has outlined why antigen tests should be used, now that they have allowed the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases using this screening method in the National Capital Region (NCR) bubble.

According to Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, those who will be tested using antigen would be carefully chosen, such as those with symptoms, those exposed, or the contacts of positive individuals.

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“Gagamitin natin ‘yan for those with symptoms, for those who were exposed, for those who were contacts of identified positive individuals,” said Vergeire.

She added that it cannot be used as “screening” for those who go to work or an establishment.

“Hindi pa rin natin pwede gamitin ang antigen test sa screening for example pupunta sa isang establishment, pupunta kayo sa trabaho. Hindi ho ‘yan ang indikasyon na ginagamit ngayon,” she said.

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It will be recalled that the DOH decided to include in the official tally of COVID-19 cases the positive results of rapid antigen tests in the NCR Bubble, in the face of the ongoing outbreak in the region. The supply of test kits is still awaited before the new policy begins.

Who can use antigen tests in the NCR Bubble?

Health facilities currently use the antigen test, but if it is positive it still needs to be confirmed using the RT-PCR test.

The DOH also clarified at the time that RT-PCR would still need to be used in low-case areas to confirm the result, and would separate the number from the data that the DOH would release about confirmed cases.

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Although the antigen test is not as accurate as the PCR test, it will only use test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration and those validated by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

Testing czar Vince Dizon previously said they target to use 30,000 antigen test kits per day.

“Meron tayong initial na 30,000 na makakarating the soonest possible time na maiayos natin lahat na kailangan for financial documents,” said Vergeire.

“Pangalawa, nakausap natin kahapon ang WHO at nanghingi tayo ng tulong. Sila rin po ay magbibigay ng kaukulang assistance worth 20,000 rapid antigen test kits na sabi natin urgent,” she said.

The DOH also hopes that WHO help will arrive before the end of the week.