Senate personnel testing positive in rapid test to undergo confirmatory test, isolation

MANILA, Philippines — The 18 Senate employees who tested positive in the rapid antibody tests for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) must undergo confirmatory tests and 14-day mandatory quarantine.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Tuesday said that rapid antibody test kits are not “stand alone” tests as these only detect antibodies and not the virus itself. The employees must undergo the polymerase chain testing (PCR)-based tests.

“Ang rapid antibody test, hindi ito stand alone test so kailangan lahat ng nagpositibo sa rapid antibody test, kailangan mag-PCR based sila para ma-validate natin,” she told reporters in an online press conference.

(The rapid antibody tests are not stand alone tests so those who tested positive for it need to undergo PCR-based testing so that we can validate it.)

But while waiting for the results, Vergeire suggested that the employees already isolate themselves and undergo 14-day quarantine.

“Hindi natin kailangan antayin ang mga resulta ng mga test na ito. Kung ang isang pasyente ay nagpositibo, isolate na agad, i-extract doon sa kanyang komunidad o kaya kung mayroon siyang sariling bahay na may kwarto, ipa-isolate na for 14 days, hindi na natin hihintayin,” she said.

(We do not need to wait for the results of the test. If a patient tests positive in the rapid test, they should be isolated immediately and extracted from their community. If they have their own house that has separate rooms, they need to be isolated for 14 days. We will not wait for the results.)

The rapid testing for Senate employees is set to continue on Tuesday.

At least three senators had already tested positive for the virus: Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri, Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III, and Sonny Angara.

The three later tested negative, although Angara again tested positive for the virus.

EDV