Dizon says gov't can't do 'mass testing,' only 'risk-based testing'

Vince Dizon, the country’s testing czar, has dismissed renewed calls for “mass testing” in response to the surge in COVID-19 infections as “dangerous,” saying the government can only do a “risk-based and targeted testing” at this point as recommended by experts.

During the televised press briefing today by Malacanang, Dizon also equated “mass testing” as testing every Filipino in the country.

“Mag-ingat po talaga tayo pagka sinasabi natin na ang solusyon sa COVID-9 ay i-test ang lahat ng Pilipino. Napaka delikado po niyan at hindi po talaga nirerekomenda ng mga eksperto,” Dizon said.

Calls for the government to do more testing cropped up after the record number of infections last month. No one has advocated testing the entire population of the country for COVID-19.

But Dizon maintained testing should only be “risk-based and targeted,” meaning it should be done in coordination with a health professional who will decide based on whether the person has symptoms, came in contact with someone who tested positive, or came from a place with a high incidence of COVID-19. This definition is also in line with the guidelines being used by the Department of Health for its expanded testing strategy.