THOSE who are asymptomatic or are not showing any symptoms of Covid-19 will not be required to undergo a swab test, as mandated by Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia on Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2021.
However, patients who are considered first generation contacts will be required to do a 10-day quarantine and will be closely monitored to look out for any symptoms that might develop.
The same protocol applies to those who do show symptoms.
Should samples need to be extracted, one should provide personal details as well as the reason for taking the swab test.
The process was first adopted by Cebu Province to prevent hospitals from filling up with patients even without symptoms.
“To reiterate the guidelines under Department of Health Department Memorandum No. 2020-512 dated Nov. 26, 2020 pertinent to the testing of Covid-19 related asymptomatic persons, all asymptomatic persons suspected of having contracted Covid-19 shall immediately be quarantined and monitored for 10 days without undergoing an RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) Test. Only those showing Covid-19 symptoms shall be subjected to an RT-PCR Test. Any request for an RT-PCR Test by an asymptomatic person shall NOT be entertained nor accommodated.”
During the press conference held at the Capitol on Feb. 9, Garcia emphasized that the public should not rely on the swab test to ensure their safety from Covid-19.
As of Feb. 10, there were 855 active cases of Covid-19 in Cebu Province (which excludes the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu), a steep hike from just 74 at the end of 2020. (ANV / CBQ)