TF eyes expanded tests for COVID-19 by targeting asymptomatic individuals

June 4, 2020

The National Task Force on COVID-19 wants to maximize the use of coronavirus disease test laboratories, with capacity reaching to almost 42,000 already, by including in the tests those asymptomatic patients in heavily populated areas in the country and frontliners.

NTF Deputy Implementer Vivencio Dizon, in a virtual press briefing in Davao City on Thursday, said the testing capacity now of 52 public and private laboratories nationwide is 41,990.

"As you can see, we have increasing number of laboratories nationwide, especially in Visayas and Mindanao; and out of the 52 laboratories, 33 are government labs and 19 are private sector labs," he said.

However, Dizon admitted that the test capacity could not be maximized.

"Now, our average (actual tests) per day is at 10,000 nationwide. We need to increase this number and we can do it by being aggressive and proactive in testing asymptomatic (patients)," he said.

On June 2, the Department of Health said that 10,440 samples were tested.

Dizon said last month those who could only be tested were individuals showing symptoms of COVID-19.

But since the laboratories in the country have expanded their capacity, even asymptomatic individuals could already be tested.

"Our goal now under the expanded targeted testing is to look and test those asymptomatic - our fellowmen who have not shown symptoms," he said, noting that in the Philippines and in the world, almost 98 percent of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic or those with mild symptoms.

He said only two percent are critical cases.

Dizon, also the head of the Bases Conversion and Development Authority, said the expanded testing should be done in the "densely populated" places, such as the National Capital Region, Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Cebu, Davao and other huge cities.

He also said expanded testing should be done to frontliners even if they do not have symptoms.

The frontliners are only include health workers but also law enforcers, transport workers, guards, and cashiers in supermarkets, among others, he said.

"This month of June we will increase our testing capacity to 50,000 per day," he said.

Through massive testing, Dizon said the spread of the virus could be contained, thus, many lives will be saved. Celerina Monte/DMS