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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DOH tells public: No to self-swabbing

DOH tells public: No to self-swabbing

Published May 27, 2021 04:32 pm

Department of Health Secretary Francisco Duque III (PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

The Department of Health (DOH) warned the public against self-swabbing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) testing.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque III made the statement when asked about his reaction to a video posted by actor Robin Padilla where the latter performed a COVID-19 nasal swab.

There are certain protocols that must be followed when doing a nasal swab, said Duque.

"Meron tayong mga panuntunan o pamantayan para gawin iyan. Hindi pwedeng sarili mong gagawin iyan (We have standards for doing that. You can't do that yourself)," the Health chief noted.

"Unang-una ang iyong resulta ay magiging kwestionable dahil kung hindi naman ito naaayon sa tamang pamantayan, eh kaduda duda ang magiging resulta. So, hindi po natin dapat ginagawa ito (First of all, the result would be questionable because it is not in accordance with our guidelines. So, we shouldn't do this)," he added.

Padilla said that he did self-swabbing because a nurse was not yet around at that time.

“Basta isaksak mo ang swab stick hanggang sa dulo at makiliti mo ang utak mo, at kapag naluha kana tsaka mo iikot ng 5 hanggang 8 segundo yun na raw yun (Just insert the swab stick inside your nose until it tickles your brain. Once you tear up, swirl it for 5 to 8 seconds, and that’s it),” he said on his official Facebook page.

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swab test Department of Health (DOH)
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