Push Admin

Home antigen test kits must not be used for work clearance, asymptomatic persons: expert

Article (news)

Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt=" People fall in line for free antigen testing service from the Office of the Vice President’s Swab Cab initiative stationed at Tandang Sora on January 5, 2021. OVP handout/File" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2022/news/01/25/20220105-covid-swab-cab-ovp-4214.jpg"/><figcaption>People fall in line for free antigen testing service from the Office of the Vice President’s Swab Cab initiative stationed at Tandang Sora on January 5, 2021. OVP handout/File</figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The use of antigen test kits should be prioritized for individuals belonging to the vulnerable population and those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, an infectious diseases expert reminded the public on Tuesday.</p><p>The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) earlier approved the registration of at least two home antigen test kits amid the ongoing surge of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.</p><p>But Dr. Rontgene Solante said that antigen test kits should not be used to clear workers going back to work since they are for patients with symptoms.</p><p>He said patients with symptoms and individuals included in the vulnerable population should be prioritized in the usage of antigen test kits. </p><p>Self-administered and home COVID-19 test kits get samples from the mouth or nose. </p><p>“Bakit? Because these are the population na kailangang, kung mag-positive, mayroon tayong gamot na mga antivirals or monoclonal antibodies para hindi lalala ang mga infection nila to severe COVID at hindi sila ma-hospitalized,&quot; he explained in a public briefing.</p><p>Dr. Edsel Salvana of the Department of Health technical advisory group, earlier said that the advantage with home tests is &quot;you don’t have to go out and potentially infect other people when you have symptoms.&quot;</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/01/05/22/doh-says-studying-use-of-antigen-self-test-kits">DOH studying use of antigen self-test kits: spox</a></li></ul><p>He also noted that fully vaccinated individuals face a low risk of developing severe symptoms. He urged them to &quot;stay put and not infect anybody else; home isolate.&quot;</p><p>Malacañang had denied a supposed lack of foresight over COVID-19 home test kits and vaccination of younger children, as the Philippines battled another spike in coronavirus infections. </p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe allow="autoplay; fullscreen" frameBorder="0" height="100%" id="ivsplayer01" scrolling="no" src="https://player.ivideosmart.com/ivsplayer/v4/dist/html/iframe-src.html?iframeid=ivsplayer01&amp;key=e8c22c015ca9eafa76f1e3edfa03c603&amp;spid=3001339&amp;vid=1894390" width="100%"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>

The use of antigen tests should be prioritized for individuals belonging to the vulnerable population and those exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms, he said.

Home antigen test kits must not be used for work clearance, asymptomatic persons: expert

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

News

Home antigen test kits must not be used for work clearance, asymptomatic persons: expert

Pia Gutierrez,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 25, 2022 05:45 PM PHT

Read More:

antigen test kits

COVID-19

work clearance

asymptomatic persons

Food and Drug Administration

Department of Health

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.