Rappler
DOH tasked to set guidelines on use of coronavirus rapid test kits
The Department of Health (DOH) is tasked to issue updated guidelines on the use of rapid test kits in the Philippines for intensified efforts against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
These guidelines will adhere to the requirements and recommendations of the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) under the Universal Health Care Act.
Rapid test kits, which analyze blood samples to detect antibodies, provide results in minutes or hours.
This is a faster alternative to the 24 to 48-hour turnaround time for swab samples processed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) using machine-based methods.
As of April 3, the country has approved 30 PCR-based and antibody rapid test kits for commercial use, including locally developed PCR-based test kits from UP Manila's National Institutes of Health.
The rapid test kits measure antibodies, not the viral load itself, distinguishing them from PCR-based tests which assess swabs for the presence of the virus.
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The Department of Health (DOH) has been directed by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) to finalize guidelines for the use of rapid antibody test kits approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
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The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) has approved the Department of Health's (DOH) guidelines for the use of rapid antibody test kits for COVID-19.
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President Rodrigo Duterte has authorized the immediate procurement of rapid test kits for COVID-19, even without regulatory approval from local authorities, stating he is willing to "take the risk" to enhance the government's efforts.
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The Department of Health (DOH) is procuring a three-month supply of COVID-19 test kits to increase the country's testing capacity.
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The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) laboratory is now capable of independently testing for COVID-19, as announced by the Department of Health (DOH).
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