City working out self-testing guidelines

The city government is working on the guidelines for self-testing using antigen kits after Mayor Benjamin Magalong advocated its use to ramp up testing amid the threat of the highly contagious omicron variant.

City Health Officer Dr. Rowena Galpo presented the proposed process flow before the Management Committee led by Mayor Benjamin Magalong during their meeting Jan. 4.

The mayor said the dynamics of the testing method will be finalized and presented to the public afterwards.

The mayor batted for the use of antigen self-test kits with Baguio as pilot area to further speed up detection and management of Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) cases expected to increase due to omicron.

He said testing czar Vince Dizon had expressed his support for the plan.

Last Jan. 5, the Department of Health (DOH) announced that it is considering allowing self-administered or home testing using antigen kits but is waiting for the recommendation of experts including the Food and Drug Administration. – Aileen P. Refuerzo