The Department of Health on Wednesday warned that the number of COVID-19 cases logged daily would increase once antigen test results are included in the official tally of infections.
DOH spokesperson Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said rapid antigen test kits will soon be deployed to Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite, and Laguna – areas under the strictest lockdown classification – amid a fresh surge in positive cases.
Antigen testing will be employed as soon as the 500,000 kits procured by the government arrive in the country, Vergeire said.
“When we do that, we expect that cases will increase since we will be able to test more people and see who are positive and negative,” she said.
“This can hasten and facilitate our response on the ground for us to cut the transmission of this disease,” she added.
Vergeire said the antigen test kits must only be used on close contacts, symptomatic individuals, and those who were exposed to COVID-19 positive patients.
“We still cannot use antigen tests for screening purposes, like when you go to an establishment or to the workplace,” she said.
For his part, Health Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said the Philippines is not losing its battle against COVID-19 despite the surge in cases and the "overwhelmed" hospitals and health facilities.
"Hindi naman talaga tayo talo. The health system is not collapsing. It's just that we are trying to manage the challenge of the surge," said Vega, who is also the country's treatment czar.
The Health official made the statement after Dr. Jaime Almora, president of the Philippine Hospital Association (PHA), said that hospitals are already "overwhelmed and overrun" in light of the surge in COVID-19 cases mainly due to their depleted and overworked manpower.