By Noreen Jazul
The government will prioritize “high-risk groups” in conducting mass testing beginning on April 14, the Department of Health secretary said on April 13, Monday.
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN)
Health Secretary Francisco Duque III told DZMM that “high-risk groups” include the elderly, those with pre-existing medical conditions (particularly asthma, cancer, and diabetes), pregnant women, and those with symptoms of an acute respiratory syndrome.
Medical workers will also be prioritized for mass testing, Duque added.
“Meron parin tayong prioritization dahil hindi naman infinite ang ating test kits or test materials (We will still have prioritization because we don’t have an infinite supply of tests kits or test materials),” Duque said.
Once the government receives more testing kits, Duque vowed to test other social groups.
“Pag-aaralan ng IATF (InterAgency Task Force) kung sinu-sino itong mga grupong ito para mabigyan ng pag-susuri
(The IATF will study and identify the next group of persons who will be given tests),” Duque said.