Philippine News Agency
IATF okays guidelines for use of rapid test kits for Covid-19
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.
Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles announced the approval, stating that the specifics of these guidelines will be released on April 20.
Local government units (LGUs) are advised to purchase only rapid antibody test kits that have been accredited by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Nograles emphasized that the administration of these rapid test kits must be done by a physician to prevent inaccurate results.
Currently, 16 rapid antibody test kits have received FDA approval.
Additionally, the country has acquired GeneXpert, a new COVID-19 testing kit with a faster turnaround time of 45 minutes compared to the standard PCR test.
Around 3,000 GeneXpert cartridges have arrived, and this new kit, along with PCR and rapid antibody tests, will be utilized.
The DOH aims to achieve its target of conducting 8,000 to 10,000 COVID-19 tests daily by the end of April.
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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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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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Bagong Henerasyon Rep. Bernadette Herrera supports President Duterte's directive to buy rapid antibody test kits to boost the country's COVID-19 testing capacity.
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