Philippine News Agency
Rapid test kits can produce false negatives: DOH
The Department of Health (DOH) does not recommend the use of rapid COVID-19 test kits due to concerns about their accuracy.
Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire stated that these rapid test kits primarily detect antibodies, which may not accurately indicate an immediate infection.
This can lead to false negative results, where an infected individual might be mistakenly cleared, potentially spreading the virus.
Furthermore, rapid test kits can also produce false positive results, as they may cross-react with other viruses, leading to a misdiagnosis.
Vergeire clarified that approved COVID-19 test kits are standard laboratory tests, not rapid kits.
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