Limited to 50 coronavirus tests a day, Bicol DOH lists priority patients

LEGAZPI CITY—Limited by only 50 tests per day, the Department of Health (DOH) in Bicol decided to put people at high risk of COVID-19 on top of the list of individuals to be tested for coronavirus, which causes the disease.

The DOH made the clarification on Friday (April 24) after Bicol residents asked why individuals without symptoms were being tested even as most of the people were waiting for the tests.

The regional DOH office cited guidelines issued by the main DOH office saying “expanded testing is the testing of all individuals who are at risk of acquiring COVID-19.”

The DOH said under the rules, patients and health workers with severe symptoms and had travelled to infected places would be tested ahead.

Next in line would be patients and health workers with mild symptoms but are vulnerable because of age, preexisting conditions and other factors. Next would be patients and health workers with mild symptoms and had traveled to infected places. Next are patients and health workers with no symptoms but had travelled to infected places.

The DOH Bicol said the testing capacity of the lab in Bicol Regional Diagnostic and Reference Laboratory (BRDRL) was just 30 to 50 samples a day.

All samples from Bicol provinces, including Masbate and Catanduanes, are brought to BRDL for tests.

The DOH, however, said there are plans to expand the region’s testing capacity. Lab equipment is being purchased, the DOH said.

Edited by TSB