Some good news!
All patients we sent for RT-PCR last Monday (including the patients we tested from Barangay Cabitoonan) tested NEGATIVE as per the DOH surveillance officer. Their results were included in the last batch, and as NEGATIVE results aren’t announced, they weren’t included in the last announcement by DOH CARAGA.
There are a multitude of reasons why a person tests positive despite not having the virus – rapid tests (depending on the brand) can consistently cross react with influenza, other strains of coronavirus, and dengue virus. RT-PCR is still the confirmatory test for the presence of the virus itself.
As per the contact tracing efforts in Barangay Cabitoonan, targeted testing of persons (secondary contacts and random tests) yielded negative results for the rapid test. This combined with the negative RT-PCR result show NO PROOF of COVID-19 in General Luna.
We are then reminding all individuals and entities regarding the rational use of rapid tests especially for those not entirely indicated to be tested, since there are clear guidelines as to who should be tested pertaining particularly to those directly exposed and with confirmed contact with known cases.
Thank you for your continued support in the fight to protect General Luna. (RPN DXKS Surigao)
(Source: Municipality of General Luna, Surigao del Norte Facebook page)