For several months now, I had been joining my voice with that of independent health experts in calling for scaling of COVID-19 testings and tracings as the economy opens up. Like them, I believe that prolonged lockdowns alone will not help us get back on our feet. Lockdowns are supposed to be temporary measures to give the healthcare system and workers some breathing space to “catch up” during major surges.
Recently, we have been seeing a decline in cases here in the National Capital Region. We are now at Level 3 and contemplating a possible Level 2 before the end of the year. However, knowing the nature of the “beast” that is COVID-19, we know that it is airborne and, with the dominant, highly contagious Delta variant in the country, can easily infect even those who are already vaccinated. So, we can let people out, have workers return to work…..BUT we need to have quick, easy, and affordable ways to test these people so that in case they turn out positive, they can be readily isolated to prevent further infections.
RT-PCRs are just too expensive at around P4,000 per test. Employers will not be able to afford these to test their returning workers on a regular basis. More affordable and easy-to-administer rapid antigen tests that can immediately yield results are what we need.
The good news is finally here. Starting today, October 25, 2021, select Watsons stores will carry FDA-certified COVID-19 antigen test kits with a price range of only PhP 399 – PhP 500. These will also be available in ALL Watsons stores nationwide by November 25.
The testing kits are for administering by medical professionals such as doctors, nurses, and medical technologists and will require medical prescription. The required specifications set by the Health Technology Assessment Council (HTAC) are at 80% sensitivity and 97% specificity and these test kits can deliver at least 95% sensitivity and 99.2% specificity.
Here’s even better news. The antigen test kits will use saliva as the indicator for the presence of the virus and results can be seen in 30 minutes or less. For many who fear the needle, this comes as good news because it is non-invasive, yields quick results, and is inexpensive.
Maita A. Santiago, Watsons Philippines Customer Director, says “Watsons is taking a proactive role as the Philippines continues to fight this pandemic. Tools such as antigen testing kits help provide important information and serve as a guide so the public will know what steps to take.”
I am looking forward to rapid antigen test kits flooding the country, making tests for COVID-19 very accessible, painless, and affordable. I know that the more people get tested on a regular basis, we will be able to contain the spread of this virus. Eventually, we will have to live with COVID-19, just like we do the flu and other viruses. But we will have the tools to ensure that we will not experience the kind of surges we have been experiencing in this pandemic.
For more information and counseling, you can ask your Watsons pharmacist. You can go to https://www.watsons.com.ph/ or download the Watsons app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
Correction: To reflect that only select stores will carry the test kits by October 25 and all stores by November 25.