
An adviser of President Rodrigo Duterte pushes for the use of RTKs. Rapid test kits (RTKs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) will help the government contain the spread of the virus as RTKs can also test asymptomatic persons.
During the Laging Handa public briefing Thursday, Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion mentioned the 500,000 RTKs ordered by over 200 companies arrived in the country. These RTKs will be used for the next two weeks to test their employees for free under the private sector-led Project ARK (antibody rapid test kits).
“All these testing will be done today until the next two weeks,” Concepcion, also the founder of Go Negosyo, said.
Companies are advised to test their employees through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing now that the government allowed more businesses to reopen under a modified enhanced community quarantine status and general community quarantine status. However, under the protocols of the Department of Health, only persons with COVID-19 symptoms may undergo PCR testing.
As the country still lacks equipment and facilities for PCR, Concepcion added RTKs will help the government to increase its level of Covid-19 testing, including those who are asymptomatic.
Experts have called PCR testing the gold standard for COCID-19 testing as this is more accurate than RTKs. However, PCR testing is more expensive amounting between PHP4,000 to PHP8,000, compared to using RTKs that cost only PHP400. PCR testing is also more complex as it needs bigger investments in facilities and expert manpower.
In an online forum Wednesday, Marikina City 2nd District Rep. Stella Luz Quimbo supported the use of RTKs for COVID-19 testing but reiterated the need to also improve national capacity for PCR testing. Quimbo said even RTKs reportedly have a false negative result rate of 15 percent, more individuals can be tested using RTKs and can help in determining asymptomatic individuals infected with Covid-19.