A new testing kit to check for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) infection is expected to be developed by May, according to the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).
DOST Secretary Fortunato de la Peña said the new kit will be a cell-based immunoassay for serologic testing.
Dr. Teodoro J. Herbosa, advisor of the National Task Force for COVID-19, called on the private sector to help through campaigns such as Resbakuna sa Botika, in which vaccines are administered in pharmacies.
He added that the DoH is developing a mechanism of self-reporting of tests, given that many Filipinos have been resorting to antigen testing at home. However, this will take some time as there is “lots of complexity in the self-reporting system,” mainly the question of test quality and accuracy.
The University of the Philippines Manila-Philippine General Hospital will provide assistance to the newly-established OFW Hospital in San Fernando, Pampanga, by training clinical and administrative personnel and assisting in processes related to the development of relevant clinical services.
According to UP researchers that led the clinical studies of lagundi as adjunct treatment for mild COVID-19 symptoms on patients without comorbidities, taking the prescribed dosages will ease the symptoms.
The PGH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology launched its new unit, the first of its kind in the country, the Division of Sexual Health (DSH) on November 29 to promote wellness and address pathologic conditions on sexual and reproductive health.
The Philippine General Hospital-Hospital Infection Control Unit (PGH-HICU) has recommended on Saturday, Nov. 27, an open-air setup for Christmas parties and year-end events.
In its released guideline, PGH-HICU said that while virtual programs are preferred, face-to-face Christmas parties can be held in rooms where the doors and windows can be opened up to maintain good air circulation.
The Child Protection Network (CPN) Foundation and UNICEF swiftly responded by developing a new system to ensure that child protection services are continued despite the restrictions of the pandemic— the TeleCPUs in the Barangay. Through telemedicine and 39 barangay-based teleCPU satellites, abused children can go to the nearest barangay and have access to teleconsultation and specialty services available only in tertiary care centers.
With dosage limitations on virgin coconut oil due to its diarrheal effect, a University of the Philippines-Manila scientist leading the clinical trials on VCO as an adjunct cure for moderate to critical COVID-19 cases said that a study on the delivery using nasal spray or mouthwash is worth considering in the future.
According to researchers from University of the Philippines Manila who are conducting the clinical trial for the use of lagundi as herbal medicine in the management of mild COVID-19 cases, the plant brings “symptomatic relief” to patients without co-morbidities. Studies on the use of tawa-tawa as herbal supplement also yielded positive results.
The University of the Philippines Manila-National Institutes of Health, in partnership with the DOST-Food and Nutrition Research Institute, will be conducting research that will “determine the association of body composition with the functional capacity and quality of life of older persons in selected regions in the country.”
