Private sector asked to sustain mass testing
THE presidential adviser for entrepreneurship is appealing to the private sector for vigilance and continuous testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) even as Metro Manila eases towards general community quarantine.
Project ARK-PCR (antibody rapid test kits-polymerase chain reaction test) and Go Negosyo Founder Jose Ma. “Joey” Concepcion 3rd said only by continuous mass testing could the country keep the economy open.
“For us to keep the economy continuously open, we need to maintain clear visibility through regular testing of employees and LGUs ( local government units) that we are helping,” Concepcion
was quoted as saying.
He said all the available testing methods — from the rapid antibody test to the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test — must be used to provide authorities a clear picture of the extent of the virus’ spread.
To date, the private- led initiative has procured 1.2 million rapid antibody test kits and pledged to increase the swab, RT- PCR testing capacity of the country by 12,000 by the end of June, helping the government achieve its goal of conducting 50,000 daily tests by the end of the month.
“We must use all the tools available to us at the moment to protect the lives and livelihood of our people and to effectively fight Covid-19. Let us not be complacent. The war is still on until we find a cure,” Concepcion said.
Project ARK-PCR will also conduct seroprevalence tests in the National Capital Region (Metro Manila) and Region 4A (Calabarzon or Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) to allow better mapping of coronavirus infection, Concepcion said
Seroprevalence testing gauges the overall occurrence of a disease within a defined population at one time, using blood tests.
“As we gain more information and better understand the disease, we must constantly evaluate and recalibrate our plans and methods,” Concepcion said.
“Again, we do not know everything about this disease and are adjusting strategy as more information comes in. We are making the best decisions now based on what we know and have now,” he said.
Concepcion also urged the private sector to be vigilant to avoid a “devastating” second lockdown.
“I’m encouraging everyone to be more vigilant. A second lockdown will be devastating for the livelihoods of our MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and large corporations,” he said.
“The good effects of the government’s stimulus package will be negated if this happens. And what is worst is that many may lose hope,” Concepcion said.
As of Saturday, coronavirus cases in the country surged to 17,224, with 3,808 recoveries and 950 deaths.