Recently, the #MassTestingNowPH trended on Twitter, peaking at 70,000 likes in the said socmed platform amid the recent spike of reported covid-19 positive cases in the Philippines.
The clamor for mass testing was spearheaded by the OVP camp and of course supported by her supporters on Twitter.
However, netizen Neil Torita, a Med Technologist by profession and a diagnostic laboratory owner himself sh0t down the mass testing idea being pushed by some noisy critics on Twitter.
Torita wrote in Cebuano to explain why he disagree that mass testing is the solution to stopping the spread of covid-19.
Since I speak Cebuano, I will try my best to translate this in English for the benefit of non-Cebuano readers.
Torita wrote: Please read and understand. Para makasabot ta kung ang testing ba solusyon karon panahuna. To understand if mass testing is the solution at this time.
Torita said there are two types of testing for covid-19.
2 ka klase ang pag test karon sa covid 19.
Mao ni:
1. PCR
2. Test kit
PCR test (Polymerase chain reaction) is the one used by RITM and St. Luke’s Medical Center. PCR is the gold standard, the best test available today. It can detect the virus even at the early stage. The examination of the specimen takes around 6 hours to finish. The machine, which is very complicated to operate, can only run 36-96 test at the same time, depending if the machine is manual or automated. The machine is operated by specially-trained technicians and there are only a few of them certified to operate that PCR machine. Besides, the cost of purchasing and putting up that machine isn’t cheap. The PCR detects the DNA of covid-19 hence the need for a machine or analyzers (expensive) to do the job.
“Ang PCR mao ni karon gigamit sa RITM ug st. Luke. Mao ni siya ang gold standard meaning siya ang pinakamaayo na test sa tanan. Maka detect siya sa virus bsan naa pa sa early stage. Ang pag examin ani mo take ug 6 hours usa mahuman unya 36 test ra siya in every running meaning gamay rajud ang maexamin every 6 hours mao na hinay kaayo ang releasing sa results tungod sa kadaghan sa samples. DNA sa virus ang iya e detect mao na need siya ug mga makina or analyzers na mga mahalon.”
Torita said the test kit provided by China and commercially available in the market, detects the antibodies. He compared it to a pregnancy test. The antibodies is not detected yet when an individual has no signs or symptoms yet of covid-19. The antibodies is the released by the immune system when a virus or bacteria has been detected in our body. The antibodies are usually released at around 2 weeks. So if you do a test using the test kits and you have no signs or symptoms of covid-19 yet, the test will return a negative result. The test kit is effective only when the patient has already exhibited the signs and symptoms.
Ang test kit mao na siya ang murag pregnancy test. Ang iya e detect mao na gtawag namu ug antibodies. Ang antibodies dili na siya ma detect kung wala paka nasakit or nagpakita na ug mga symptoms. Ang antibodies maoy e respond sa ato lawas kung naa virus na nakasulod na sa ato lawas. Meaning it will take time to produce antibodies mga 2 weeks siguro usa pa motungha ang antibodies. So if mag test ka ug test kit na wala ka gipamati negative jud ang resulta. Ang test kit para ra sa nasakit na.
On the nagging question whether you can relax after your PCR and test kit says you are negative of the covid-19 virus? Torita said NO.
He said this is not an assurance, perhaps at the time when the specimen was collected, the virus was still undetectable. So if you lower your guard and return to your family, thinking you are fine, that would be a huge mistake because you can be the super spreader and putting your family at risk. Following the community quarantine and observing social distancing is highly recommended. Don’t wait for the time you will be subjected to testing because that is not a good sign.
Both PCR and test kit if negative ang results dili siya assurance na wala ka sakit kay basin during sa pagkuha ug sample undetectable pa siya. Mag too ka na negative nya ikaw na hinoon nagdala ug delubyo sa imo pamilya. Mao ang maayo na solusyon karon jud is quarantine and social distancing. Ayaw paghulat na moabot ang time na e subject ka for testing kay dili na maayo na sinyales.
To answer the clamor for mass testing in the Philippines using the test kits, check the graphics below.
Your comment?
Source: Neil Torita
The post Med Technologist/lab owner says mass testing not the answer to stop spread of virus amid clamor on socmed, explains 2 types of testing for covid-19 appeared first on Pinoy Trending News.
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