DOH to test asymptomatic patients

The Department of Health (DOH) would now test asymptomatic patients for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a top DOH official said.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire, however, maintained on Friday that this did not mean that everyone would already be tested.

“With this expansion, we have a criteria that we have to keep in mind in determining who should be tested,” Vergeire said in a virtual press briefing

“We understand the call that everyone should be tested even without symptoms or exposure to COVID-19. But we must think carefully of our strategy so that we can maximize our resources and reach our overall goal of preventing the spread of COVID-19,” she added.

On Friday, DOH recorded 244 new cases bringing the national tally to 20,626 cases. Of the new cases, 168 were patients who tested positive within the last three days. Majority of these cases were from Central Visayas at 127, followed by the National Capital Region with 24.

There were 76 late cases, or those who tested positive from at least four days prior. Metro Manila had the most number of such cases at 24.

The total number of recovered patients has reached 4,330 with the recovery of 82 more patients. The death toll, however, rose to 987 as three patients succumbed to the severe respiratory disease.

Expanded testing protocol

Under the DOH’s Memorandum Circular 2020-0151, which sets the government’s expanded testing protocol, those included under Subgroup D were patients or health workers who are asymptomatic but with relevant history of travel or exposure to a confirmed case.

The order issued in March noted that polymerase chain reaction testing “is not recommended until there is surplus testing capacity.” It was unclear though if such a surplus already exists.

It was only on June 2 that all accredited laboratories were again able to process more than 10,000 test samples. The last time this happened was in mid-May. Vergeire said that various operational issues, including the shortage of laboratory supplies, in the last few days had prevented the laboratories from processing more samples.

Even as the testing numbers have yet to stabilize, Vince Dizon, who is not a doctor but is the deputy chief implementer of Task Force against COVID-19, earlier argued that coverage should already be expanded to include asymptomatic patients.

While they recognized the intention of mass testing, Vergeire said testing was just “one part of our overall strategy.”

“Our national response is multifaceted and employs a holistic approach to combat the disease,” she said.