First Batch: 1 positive, recovered
MASS TESTING OF 847
THE results of the first batch of the Expanded Targeted Testing or mass testing for COVID-19 in Pangasinan conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO) is showing an almost 0.1% positive rate.
Provincial Health Officer Anna Ma. Teresa De Guzman confirmed on May 27, that out of 843 frontliners and persons under investigation, only one case tested positive and he has since recovered, referring to the 29-year-old male from Asingan town. (See story “Only two COVID-19 cases remain)
De Guzman said initially tested were from 16 “hotspot areas” (cities and towns that recorded confirmed cases of COVID-19) in the province.
She said personnel manning border points were also tested: Mangatarem (210, Bayambang (27), Rosales (76), and a number of Bureau of Jail Management and Penology personnel were tested too.
Added to persons listed as mild PUIs managed by the local government units, persons under monitoring (PUM) considered as high-risks are those suffering from heart ailment, diabetes, hypertension, immuno-compromised or with COPD, asthma and pulmonary tuberculosis, high risk pregnancies, frontline workers (health personnel, men in uniform, and workers from risk reduction offices) are among the targets.
Dr. De Guzman, however, laments that it still takes about 10 days to get the results because specimens have to be sent by schedule and results have to pass through Regional Epidemiological Surveillance Unit.
To address the delay, Gov. Amado Espino III recently decided to establish a molecular laboratory at the Pangasinan Provincial Hospital.
According to De Guzman, the provincial government already procured an automated PCR machine, a 4,000 viral transport medium for oropharyngeal swab and six medical technologists are scheduled to be sent to Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for training.
She said once Pangasinan has its molecular laboratory, the turn-around time will be down to days only.
Meanwhile, she appealed to LGUs conducting the ‘rapid body testing’ to immediately coordinate with the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) and PHO once positive cases are recorded so confirmatory tests through PCR oropharyngeal swab testing can be done.
She clarified that results of rapid tests that turn positive can only be labeled as “probable virus cases” that need confirmatory tests. (PIO/RRB)
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