Positive results of some OFWs in provinces likely linked to recovery —DOH

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire on Monday said the positive results of repatriated OFWs in rapid tests for COVID-19 conducted in the provinces may only be due to “fragments” that could mean they are recovering.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Vergeire said these OFWs, who have turned negative for COVID-19 using PCR-based testing while in quarantine facilities, were possibly positive only for IgG.

“Itong mga OFWs na pag-uwi ay nag-test pa rin na positibo, kung RT-PCR ang ginawa maaring fragments o remnants na lang noong virus pero hindi na sila infection dahil nakatapos na sila ng quarantine,” she said.

“Kung anti-body rapid test ang ginawa, maaaring IgG positive sila and this is a sign of recovery already,” she added.

Vergeire said PCR-based testing is considered as “gold standard” in diagnosing COVID-19 infection although she admitted that it is not perfect.

“Ang RT-PCR ay ginagawa sa lahat ng OFWs. ‘Yun po ang kanilang naging basehan para masabi na sila ay negatibo o positibo. Wala hong perpektong test na sinasabi natin sa ngayon for SARS-CoV-2,” she said.

“Ang ating RT-PCR, bagaman, siya ‘yung gold standard, ay meron pa rin pong tsansa na maging false negative at false positive pero maliit na tsansa lang po iyan.”

Vergeire made the statement amid reports of some OFWs who already completed the required quarantine period and tested negative in a PCR-based testing in Metro Manila still tested positive for COVID-19 in rapid tests in the provinces.

Local government units are implementing their own health protocols while accepting returning OFWs , which include another round of quarantine period and testing. --Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News