DOH readies new guidelines on test kits

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is finalizing its updated guidelines covering the appropriate use of available test kits for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said they expected to release in a week’s time the updated guidelines so the public would be better informed on the difference between rapid antibody test kits, new antigen kits and RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) kits.

She reiterated that the rapid antibody test kit should not be used to screen and clear someone of COVID-19 as this does not detect the virus that causes the disease but only antibodies.

—Jovic Yee