The Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) has released the revised guidelines on the expanded testing for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) as the number of tested people hit 52,837.
The new protocols will cover testing for patients and healthcare workers with mild to severe symptoms and with history of travel or contact with COVID-19 cases, those with existing illnesses that make them vulnerable, and asymptomatic cases with history of travel or contact.
“Indiscriminate testing beyond close contact of a confirmed COVID-19 case is not recommended,” IATF spokesperson and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Monday.
The revised guidelines on COVID-19 stated that testing will be expanded to “all individuals who are at risk of contracting COVID-19 infection.”
These are suspect cases, asymptomatic or symptomatic individuals with a history of travel or exposure to COVID-19 cases, and asymptomatic or symptomatic healthcare workers with possible exposure to COVID-19.
Four sub-groups will be prioritized for testing. These include patients or healthcare workers with severe symptoms and with history of travel or contact with COVID-19 cases; those with mild symptoms and are considered to be vulnerable; and those who are asymptomatic. INQ