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Pilot use of rapid antigen test in Baguio OK'd

Philippines | National

Pilot use of rapid antigen test in Baguio OK'd

By Genalyn Kabiling

The government has approved the pilot use of rapid antigen testing in Baguio City amid its planned reopening of the area to select tourists.

(JANSEN ROMERO / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) has issued a resolution adopting the protocols on the antigen testing protocols to screen people with coronavirus illness in Baguio City.

According to the IATF, the antigen tests can be applied "among contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases in areas where there are documented clustering of cases."

The diagnostic test can also be used "for domestic tourists and visitors with essential travel" with guidance from health authorities, the task force said.

"The Department of Health, the Department of Tourism, and the World Health Organization are enjoined to continue providing assistance to the City of Baguio for this undertaking," the IATF said.

A antigen test is a diagnostic test that looks for viral proteins from samples collected through a nasal swab. Test results are validated in the laboratory.

The IATF resolution was signed by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, chair of IATF, following a meeting of the task force last Tuesday via video conference. The resolution was released by Malacanang Thursday.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong initially announced plans to reopen the summer capital to tourists from Ilocos region this week subject to strict health protocols. The reopening of the so-called tourism bubble, however, was reportedly delayed until next week following reports of a coronavirus outbreak in two barangays in Baguio.

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