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PCCI calls for accessible, free antigen test for public

By Kris Crismundo

February 1, 2022, 5:55 pm

MANILA – The country's largest business organization, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), has called for free and more accessible coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) antigen test for the public as the alert level eased in Metro Manila and other areas in the county. 
 
In a statement Tuesday, PCCI president George Barcelon said access to free antigen testing will help to avoid another surge in cases as mobility increases under Alert Level 2.
 
Barcelon said these test kits should be available in local drugstores and barangay health units across the country.
 
While antigen test kits are less sensitive than the gold standard reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test for Covid-19 screening, antigen tests can tell if an individual has a contagious viral infection.
 
"While our primary goal is to vaccinate (the) majority, if not all Filipinos, it is very important that rapid antigen test kits are made available and affordable up to the grassroots level to curb the spread of Covid-19," he added.
 
Barcelon also called on the government to procure more antigen test kits as there is shortage of supply of these rapid test kits.
 
"Such assistance, especially to MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises), could bolster confidence in opening up the economy," he said.
 
The PCCI executive also lauded the government for placing Metro Manila back to Alert Level 2 and for implementing a "scaled-up vaccination program".
 
"PCCI sees these as the result of a better balance between meeting the exigencies of economic concerns and the health requirements of Covid-19 response," he said. (PNA)
 

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