DOH denies expedited COVID-19 testing for VIPs, only extends 'courtesy’ to some officials | ABS-CBN
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DOH denies expedited COVID-19 testing for VIPs, only extends 'courtesy’ to some officials
DOH denies expedited COVID-19 testing for VIPs, only extends 'courtesy’ to some officials
Kristine Sabillo,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 23, 2020 05:29 PM PHT
|
Updated Mar 23, 2020 06:12 PM PHT
MANILA — The Philippines' health department on Monday said it has "no policy for VIP treatment" in conducting tests for the novel coronavirus disease in the country.
MANILA — The Philippines' health department on Monday said it has "no policy for VIP treatment" in conducting tests for the novel coronavirus disease in the country.
“The DOH assures the public that there is no policy for VIP treatment and that all specimens are being processed on a first-in, first-out basis,” the agency said in a statement.
“The DOH assures the public that there is no policy for VIP treatment and that all specimens are being processed on a first-in, first-out basis,” the agency said in a statement.
But it said it accords courtesy "to officials holding positions of national security and public health.” It has yet to respond to the question on which government positions is covered by this.
But it said it accords courtesy "to officials holding positions of national security and public health.” It has yet to respond to the question on which government positions is covered by this.
The statement was issued after majority of senators took the test for COVID-19 despite not experiencing any symptoms.
The statement was issued after majority of senators took the test for COVID-19 despite not experiencing any symptoms.
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The agency has also not responded as to why relatives of some officials were reportedly allowed to take the same test even though they do not show any symptoms or are at risk for severe illness.
The agency has also not responded as to why relatives of some officials were reportedly allowed to take the same test even though they do not show any symptoms or are at risk for severe illness.
Besides President Rodrigo Duterte, his partner and children also underwent COVID-19 testing. This was announced on March 17.
Besides President Rodrigo Duterte, his partner and children also underwent COVID-19 testing. This was announced on March 17.
In its statement, the health department said "criteria for testing all patients follows published screening protocols."
In its statement, the health department said "criteria for testing all patients follows published screening protocols."
"Following an update of the screening protocols last March 16, only the following are eligible for testing: (1) PUIs with mild symptoms who are elderly, with underlying condition, immunocompromised, and (2) admitted PUIs in severe and critical condition," it said.
"Following an update of the screening protocols last March 16, only the following are eligible for testing: (1) PUIs with mild symptoms who are elderly, with underlying condition, immunocompromised, and (2) admitted PUIs in severe and critical condition," it said.
PUIs stands for persons under investigation for the novel coronavirus disease. They are those who show symptoms of COVID-19 and traveled recently to a country with local transmission of the disease or came into contact with a known case.
PUIs stands for persons under investigation for the novel coronavirus disease. They are those who show symptoms of COVID-19 and traveled recently to a country with local transmission of the disease or came into contact with a known case.
“These are extraordinary times, but we are hopeful that with the arrival of 100,000 testing kits and accreditation of additional sub-national laboratories and dedicated COVID-19 referral hospitals, more cases will be detected and appropriately managed,” the agency said.
“These are extraordinary times, but we are hopeful that with the arrival of 100,000 testing kits and accreditation of additional sub-national laboratories and dedicated COVID-19 referral hospitals, more cases will be detected and appropriately managed,” the agency said.
Because of the shortage of test kits in the past weeks, the DOH stopped testing PUIs with mild symptoms unless they are at risk.
Because of the shortage of test kits in the past weeks, the DOH stopped testing PUIs with mild symptoms unless they are at risk.
As of Monday afternoon, there are 462 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, of whom 33 died while 18 recovered.
As of Monday afternoon, there are 462 COVID-19 cases in the Philippines, of whom 33 died while 18 recovered.
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WATCH: Thailand's foreign minister meets freed Thai hostages in Israel
WATCH: Thailand's foreign minister meets freed Thai hostages in Israel
Reuters
Published Feb 03, 2025 01:15 AM PHT
Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Watch more on iWantTFC.com. Watch hundreds of Pinoy shows, movies, live sports and news.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on Saturday (February 1), in Beer Yakov, Israel, met with five Thai hostages who were released as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Thailand's Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on Saturday (February 1), in Beer Yakov, Israel, met with five Thai hostages who were released as part of an ongoing ceasefire deal in Gaza.
Sangiampongsa was joined by the Thai ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya during the visit.
Sangiampongsa was joined by the Thai ambassador to Israel Pannabha Chandraramya during the visit.
The Israeli military, who confirmed on Thursday (January 30) they had been released by Hamas, identified them as Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Rumnao.
The Israeli military, who confirmed on Thursday (January 30) they had been released by Hamas, identified them as Pongsak Thenna, Sathian Suwannakham, Watchara Sriaoun, Bannawat Seathao and Surasak Rumnao.
The hostages were taken on Oct.7 2023 when Hamas gunmen burst across the border into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.
The hostages were taken on Oct.7 2023 when Hamas gunmen burst across the border into Israel and killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli authorities.
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During the operation the militants killed 39 Thais and abducted 30 Thai laborers.
During the operation the militants killed 39 Thais and abducted 30 Thai laborers.
The Hamas attack provoked an Israeli offensive in October 2023 to obliterate the militant group which laid waste to most of Gaza and killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
The Hamas attack provoked an Israeli offensive in October 2023 to obliterate the militant group which laid waste to most of Gaza and killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities.
A complex, phased truce was agreed two weeks ago which led to the release of hostages in return for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
A complex, phased truce was agreed two weeks ago which led to the release of hostages in return for Israel freeing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
Up to 23 of the Thai hostages were released in an earlier agreement in November 2023.
Up to 23 of the Thai hostages were released in an earlier agreement in November 2023.
Before the war, around 30,000 Thai laborers worked in the agriculture sector, making the group one of Israel's largest migrant worker groups.
Before the war, around 30,000 Thai laborers worked in the agriculture sector, making the group one of Israel's largest migrant worker groups.
There are more than 70 hostages still held in Gaza.
There are more than 70 hostages still held in Gaza.
(Production: Aiden Nulty)
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