By Liezle Basa Inigo
LINGAYEN – The province of Pangasinan is now preparing for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) mass testing.
The Pangasinenses practice social distancing during scheduled market day in every barangays. (Liezle Basa Inigo / MANILA BULLETIN)
Provincial Health Office (PHO) Officer Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman said the mass testing will use oropharyngeal swabbing.
As such, medical technologists from the 44 towns and three cities, along with the 14 government-owned hospitals, will undergo orientation and training by the end of this week.
“Sa ngayon po ang una is yung training ng mga med tech at mag-aantay po tayo sa availability ng resources na ibibgay sa atin ng Departamento ng Kalusugan,” said De Guzman.
De Guzman said mass testing will prioritize mild persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) who had direct contact with the PUIs.
“Ang mga mild PUI ito po yung mga hindi sila elderly, hindi rin po sila buntis at wala po silang co-morbidities,” Dr. De Guzman clarified.
All PUIs who are classified as severe and critical were already tested.
The health offciial noted that polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is considered as the gold standard in COVID-19 testing, will be used in the mass testing.
The Pangasinenses practice social distancing during scheduled market day in every barangays. (Liezle Basa Inigo / MANILA BULLETIN)
Provincial Health Office (PHO) Officer Dr. Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman said the mass testing will use oropharyngeal swabbing.
As such, medical technologists from the 44 towns and three cities, along with the 14 government-owned hospitals, will undergo orientation and training by the end of this week.
“Sa ngayon po ang una is yung training ng mga med tech at mag-aantay po tayo sa availability ng resources na ibibgay sa atin ng Departamento ng Kalusugan,” said De Guzman.
De Guzman said mass testing will prioritize mild persons under investigation (PUIs) and persons under monitoring (PUMs) who had direct contact with the PUIs.
“Ang mga mild PUI ito po yung mga hindi sila elderly, hindi rin po sila buntis at wala po silang co-morbidities,” Dr. De Guzman clarified.
All PUIs who are classified as severe and critical were already tested.
The health offciial noted that polymerase chain reaction (PCR), which is considered as the gold standard in COVID-19 testing, will be used in the mass testing.