DOH opposes antigen testing during COC filing

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire during the DOH media forum. (Screengrab from DOH Facebook page)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Health (DOH) is not recommending a COVID-19 rapid antigen test for individuals who will participate in the filing of certificate of candidacy (COC).

Earlier, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) said that an antigen testing booth would be in place at a Sofitel hotel tent — the venue for COC filing — for those who would fail to present a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test.

“We do not recommend the rapid antigen test kits to be used as a screening test for people who will vote or for people who’s going to join events,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario said during the DOH media forum on Monday.

The statement was in response to whether the DOH believes that the COC filing is among the events to appropriately use antigen tests.

“Kaya nga sabi po natin last week, kailangan appropriate ‘yung use para wala tayong question as to the results that will come out if ever we use it,” Vergeire added.

(That’s why we said last week, the use should be appropriate so we would not have doubts as to the results that would come out if ever we use it.)

She mentioned that they will coordinate with the Comelec regarding the matter to implement appropriate testing protocols.

“We will be discussing this with them para po appropriate na mga testing protocols ang maisagawa natin sa ganitong mga events na ito,” Vergeire said.

(We will be discussing this with them so that appropriate testing protocols would be in place in these kinds of events.)

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