PH has new faster COVID-19 test kits, says Nograles

MANILA, Philippines—In an effort to boost COVID-19 testing capabilities, the Philippines on Friday acquired its first batch of Gene Xpert test kits, which boast a significantly fast turnaround time, Inter-Agency Task Force Spokesperson Karlo Nograles said Saturday in a virtual briefing.

“Gusto ko rin pong ibalita na may bagong testing kit na rin na pumasok dito sa ating bansa. Pumasok na kahapon, dumating na kahapon yung Gene Xpert. So ‘yung Gene Xpert po is also a lab-based kit or device. Pero ang kagandahan nitong Gene Xpert is 45 minutes na lang po ang kanyang turnaround time,” Nograles said.

(I also want to announce that the new test kits have arrived in the country yesterday. The Gene Xpert test kit is also lab-based. But what makes this better is that it has a 45-minute turnaround time.)

Nograles noted that it is way faster than the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test kits, which ideally have a turnaround time of 24 hours, currently used in accredited testing centers in the country.

Around 3,000 Gene Xpert cartridges arrived in the Philippines, according to Nograles. He said the country will receive additional supplies in the coming weeks.

Many laboratories in the country have already been using Gene Xpert machines for detecting tuberculosis.

Citing IATF Resolution No. 25, series of 2020, Nograles said the Department of Health guidelines for the utilization of rapid antibody test kits have also been approved. The spokesperson said he will detail the guidelines on Monday.

The country’s testing capability is expected to increase as the government will be using the said three tests – the RT-PCR, Gene Xpert and the rapid antibody test kits – simultaneously in the coming days.

There are 5,878 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, while 387 people have died, as of April 17. There have been 487 recoveries so far.