HEALTH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Wednesday appealed to the public anew to have themselves tested only in laboratories licensed by the Department of Health (DOH) as falsified negative Covid-19 swab test results are becoming an increasing concern of the agency.
Not only is using falsified confirmatory Covid-19 test results a criminal act, the use of fake laboratory results may put the lives of other persons at risk because of the possibility that they are infected. Covid-19 cases in the country rose to 530,118 on Wednesday.
“The DOH already issued an advisory to the public where to go if they want to be tested,” Vergeire said, responding to the question of BusinessMirror during the Laging Handa press briefing. The list of licensed laboratories may be found here: http:/bit.ly3oC6c0B.
Vergeire also assured the public they can validate the authenticity of the test results in the DOH’s system, as “all these laboratories that we gave licenses are linked with our centralized system which is the Covid Kaya [platform].”
With the proliferation of fake RT-PCR test results, Vergerie said certain laboratories and persons are already being investigated.
“There is an ongoing investigation, but we cannot give the details yet, for it is still under investigation,” Vergeire said, partly in Filipino.
Earlier, the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) issued a warning against fake results, bearing the name of the institute, reportedly used for travel, for hotel accommodations, and for other purposes.
The initial investigation confirmed that the SARS-CoV-2 test results submitted to RITM for verification were not found in its Covid-19 Laboratory Information System and the signatories were not affiliated with the Institute.
Several medical certifications bearing the RITM logo and signatories were also submitted for verification and were confirmed fake. The Institute only releases certified true copy of results and does not issue any other certification.
“We are coordinating with the proper authorities to ensure that these illegal activities are put to a stop. Additional security features have also been implemented to prevent misuse of our Institute’s good name for personal profit and exploitation of public trust,” affirmed RITM Director Celia Carlos.
Those who wish to verify their results may contact RITM-SRU through mobile number 09199279185 and e-mail address: [email protected].
The DOH also encouraged the public to report to them and proper authorities any fraudulent activities concerning Covid-19 testing and releasing of results.
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