FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH:
On the use or Rapid Antibody-based Test Kits:
The Department of Health would like to stress that antibody tests are not recommended as stand-alone tests for the diagnosis of COVID-19.
Department Memorandum 2020-0258 states that the RT-PCR remains the gold standard for confirmatory test of COVID-19.
The use of rapid antibody tests is not recommended for use in screening, return-to-work decisions, entry-to-country/province policies, or for similar use due to its low sensitive and high false negative rates, as well as uncertainties to its connection to immunity.
Furthermore, The World Health Organization recommends that rapid tests be used in research settings only, including for clinical decision-making, until evidence supporting use for specific indications is available.
NOT TO BE USED FOR:
– DIAGNOSIS
– SCREENING
– RETURN-TO-WORK DECISIONS
– TRAVEL ENTRY DECISIONS
#WeHealAsOne
#BeatCOVID19
#COVID19PH
(Source: Department of Health)