Health experts on Tuesday, August 4, reiterated their opposition to the use of rapid antibody tests in the workplace as these do not accurately detect if a person is infected with coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“Dapat ihinto na iyang rapid antibody test na iyan. Sa buong mundo, tayo nalang ata ang gumagamit nyan [The use of rapid antibody tests should be stopped. I think, among all countries, we are the only ones still using it],” said Dr. Antonio Dans of the Philippine Society of General Internal Medicine during an online forum.
Dans noted that the said test only checks if a person has already an antibody against the disease and not the actual SARS-CoV-2 virus.
“Hindi naman yung virus yung nakikita nya eh, nakikita nya yung antibody [It does not detect the virus but the antibody],” he said.
“Sa tingin namin ang paggamit ng rapid test sa workplace, naging problema at nakadagdag sa paglaganap ng COVID-19 [We think the use of rapid test in the workplace has become a problem and has contributed to the spread of COVID-19],” he added.
Meanwhile, Dans said that they are not recommending the regular use of RT-PCR to screen workers. The RT-PCR method is deemed as the gold standard for COVID-19 testing.
“Mahirap din iyon. Kasi kung gumawa ako ng PCR ngayon at negative at pinapasok ko, ‘okay, safe ako ngayon’ eh paano yung bukas? Bukas ite-test mo nanaman siya? kasi yung resulta ng PCR doon lang ho sa araw na iyon [That is also difficult. Because if you use (RT)-PCR today and the result is negative, then you will be allowed to go to work. But what about tomorrow? Will you test him again?]” he said.
The best option would be to check regularly whether the employees are exhibiting symptoms or were they exposed to a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patient.
“So kung meron kang konting ubo, konting sipon, o lagnat, o sinat–ano na–suspect ka na. Magpatest ka na [So if you have a cough, a cold, or a fever– then you are already a suspect. You should be tested],” he said.
“Nag-alaga ka ba o may nakasama ka ba sa bahay na meron ganun sintomas o may confirmed na COVID-19. Kailangan din mag quarantine ka for 14 days [Have you taken care of or has anyone in your house with such symptoms or confirmed COVID-19? You also need to quarantine for 14 days],” he added.
Dr. Aileen Espina of Philippine Society of Public Health Physicians said that they are set to meet the country’s testing czar Vince Dizon to further discuss the matter.
“Secretary Dizon has already agreed to have further discussions. Kasi gusto po nilang mas maintindihan kung ano po talaga yung iba’t ibang available na test na meron for COVID [Secretary Dizon has already agreed to have further discussions. They want to better understand the various available tests for COVID],” said Espina.
“Using a test for a purpose na hindi naman iyon yung intention nya will create a false level of security,” she added.
“There are so many tests and so many uses for these tests. We just need to educate people kung ano ang proper timing, kelan dapat kinukuha ang test, ano ang minemeasure at paano ito iniinterpret [There are so many tests and so many uses for these tests. We just need to educate people on what is proper timing, when to take the test, what is it measuring, and how to interpret it],” she furthered.
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