Gov. Gwen Garcia has been bashed on social media and criticized by her critics on her controversial memorandum last Feb. 3, 2021 addressed to all local chief executives and city and municipal health officers in the province on the conduct of Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) on asymptomatic persons. In that memorandum, the governor advised local chief executives and heath officials that “only those showing symptoms of the coronavirus disease (Covid 19) 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.”
In fairness to the governor, her memorandum has basis. It was not a unilateral decision, but based on the guidelines released by the Department of Health (DOH) central office. Days ago, the governor issued an executive order that RT-PCR test is no longer required for tourists visiting the province. There are only three requirements: a valid medical certificate issued by a reputable doctor within seven days before the trip; proof of pre-booking at a resort or hotel and passing the Covid-19 symptoms check at the points of departure and arrival.
In DOH Memorandum 2020-512 (Revised Omnibus Interim Guidelines on Prevention, Detection, Isolation, Treatment and Reintegration Strategies for Covid 19) dated Nov. 26, 2020 pertinent to the testing of Covid-19 related asymptomatic persons. It stated that all asymptomatic persons suspected of having contracted Covid-19 shall immediately be quarantined and monitored for 10 days without undergoing an RT-PCR test.
Section C of the said memorandum further stated: Setting-specific pathways for contract tracing, quarantine or isolation and diagnostic testing: Asymptomatic close contacts of probable and confirmed cases in the community; when an asymptomatic close contact is identified and traced, they shall undergo immediate quarantine and be monitored whether or not symptoms will manifest during the 14 day period.
a) If symptoms did not manifest, they shall be discharged after the 14-day quarantine starting from date of their last exposure to the probable or confirmed case.
b) If symptoms develop, they shall be admitted to a temporary treatment and monitoring facility (TTMF) and be tested using the RT-PCR, if not available, antigen test. If results are negative, they shall be discharged after the completion of 10 day isolation inclusive of at least three days of being asymptomatic. If the results are positive, they shall be isolated, managed and discharged.
2) Asymptomatic close contacts of probable and confirmed cases in the workplace-Listed close contacts in the workplace shall undergo immediate quarantine. The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) officer shall also inform concerned contact tracers or LESUs. LESUs shall generate the list of close contacts outside the workplace and shall be referred to the LGU contract tracing team. While in quarantine, close contacts shall be monitored whether or not symptoms will manifest during the 14-day quarantine. The algorithm for monitoring the progression of symptoms of close contacts in the community shall be followed.
So, if it will happen in a private company, health officials should not lock down the company’s entire operations. They should identify those close contacts of the positive person and just order them to be in self-quarantine and without forcing them to undergo Covid-19 test. Did the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) order the lockdown of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (Opav) after Secretary Michael Dino was confirmed infected with the virus? Did they lock down the Archbishop Palace after Bishop Jose Palma was found positive, and did they lock down Talisay City Hall after Mayor Samsam Gullas was also found positive?
Who are considered close contacts? Under the United States Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), those considered close contacts are individuals within six feet of an infected person for a total of 15 minutes or more of laboratory/confirmed or probable Covid-19 patients. That’s why in a household, all members should be considered suspected cases because they are exposed longer to a confirmed case. They should be recommended for testing and should be isolated. But even if you are in the same building, but no direct contact with an infected person, you are not considered a close contact. Asymptomatic close contacts who are not tested should self-quarantine and be monitored for 14 days after their last exposure with linkage to clinical care for those who develop symptoms.