PRC, health officials urge continued COVID-19 testing amid vaccinations

The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) and health officials are urging the public to continue exercising extraordinary diligence in COVID-19 testing, even with the ongoing vaccination program.

PRC Chairman Senator Richard Gordon stressed the importance of widespread testing to prevent further transmission and ensure that infected individuals receive proper treatment.

Gordon highlighted that testing allows for the isolation and recovery of those who are sick, emphasizing that many are successfully recovering from the virus.

Dr. Michael Tee of the University of the Philippines Manila also noted the critical need for testing, as a significant number of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic and cannot be identified through symptom-based screening alone.

Tee's research team found that some overseas Filipino workers who had been cleared abroad still tested positive upon their arrival in the Philippines, underscoring the limitations of pre-departure screenings.