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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider 'Stop using rapid antibody tests', health experts urge, 'as these may even contribute to COVID-19 spread'

'Stop using rapid antibody tests', health experts urge, 'as these may even contribute to COVID-19 spread'

Published Aug 4, 2020 04:19 pm

Health experts on Tuesday, August 4, reiterated their opposition to the use of rapid antibody tests in the workplace as these do not accurately detect if a person is infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19). 

"Dapat ihinto na iyang rapid antibody test na iyan. Sa buong mundo, tayo nalang ata ang gumagamit nyan ," said Dr. Antonio Dans of the Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine during an online forum. 

Dans noted that the said test only checks if a person has already an antibody against the disease and not the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus.

"Hindi naman yung virus yung nakikita nya eh, nakikita nya yung antibody ," he said. 

"Sa tingin namin ang paggamit ng rapid test sa workplace, naging problema at nakadagdag sa paglaganap ng COVID-19 ," he added. 

Meanwhile, Dans said that they are not recommending the regular use of RT-PCR to screen workers.  The RT-PCR method is deemed as the gold standard for COVID-19 testing. 

"Mahirap din iyon. Kasi kung gumawa ako ng PCR ngayon at negative at pinapasok ko, 'okay, safe ako ngayon' eh paano yung bukas? Bukas ite-test mo nanaman siya? kasi yung resulta ng PCR doon lang ho sa araw na iyon " he said.

The best option would be to check regularly whether the employees are exhibiting symptoms or were they exposed to a confirmed or suspected  COVID-19 patient. 

"So kung meron kang konting ubo, konting sipon, o lagnat, o sinat--ano na--suspect ka na. Magpatest ka na ," he said. 

"Nag-alaga ka ba  o may nakasama ka ba sa bahay na meron ganun sintomas o may confirmed na COVID-19. Kailangan din mag quarantine ka for 14 days ," he added. 

Dr. Aileen Espina of Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians said that they are set to meet the country's testing czar Vince Dizon to further discuss the matter.

“Secretary Dizon has already agreed to have further discussions. Kasi gusto po nilang mas maintindihan kung ano po talaga yung iba’t ibang available na test  na meron for COVID ,” said Espina.

“Using a test for a purpose na hindi naman iyon yung intention nya will create a false level of security,” she added. 

“There are so many tests and so many uses for these tests. We just need to educate people kung ano ang proper timing, kelan dapat kinukuha ang test, ano ang minemeasure at paano ito iniinterpret ,” she furthered. 

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