TERESA D. ELLERA
April 29, 2020

PROVINCIAL Consultant on Economic Affairs Alfredo Benitez sought through a letter to the Department of Health (DOH)-Western Visayas to expedite turnaround time of laboratory results for Negros Occidental.

Benitez in his letter to DOH-Western Visayas director Dr. Marlyn Convocar pointed out that during the first week of April, the results of the patients being tested for the coronavirus disease, or Covid-19 takes only three days.

However, at present, it takes weeks for the results to be released or there is no definite release date indicated or advised.

“No first-in, first-out method on the inventory or processing of the specimens sent. There is still a specimen received by the [West Visayas Medical Center (WVMC)] dated March 28 with no result till this date,” Benitez said.

He added that there are days with no results released despite the pending number of specimens in the laboratory.

Benitez pointed out the dangers of delaying the release of the results pointing out admitted patients who turned out negative for the virus have an extended stay at the hospital, thereby exposing them to other hospital acquired illnesses.

He also pointed the delay for those on home quarantine is also dangerous as those who tested positive are now freely roaming within their community thinking that the lapse of the 14-day mandatory quarantine is enough and that it is tantamount to a clean bill of health.

Delays are also making it difficult for health officials who are rendering contact tracing.

“We strongly urge the WVMC to be transparent and fully disclose when the results will be release,” he said.