DOH Guide

of the Philippines
Republic
Department of
Health
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
August 03, 2020
DEPARTMENT MEMORANDUM
No. 2020- __037¢
TO: BANGSAMOGRO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM

MINDANAO (BARMM) MINISTER OF HEALTH, ALL
DIRECTORS OF —CENTERS FOR HEALTH
DEVELOPMENT (CHD), CHIEFS OF MEDICAL
CENTERS AND HOSPITALS, AND OTHERS
CONCERNED
SUBJECT: Prioritization of COVID-19 Testing using Xpert Xpress

SARS-CoV-2 Cartridges
I. BACKGROUND
As
part of the continuous efforts to increase the national laboratory capacity to detect the
SARS-CoV-2 virus, the Department of Health has augmented the use of
GeneXpert® machines for COVID-19 testing. However with the current limited capacity of
the manufacturer to produce enough number of supplies to cope with the increasing
worldwide demand, the Department of Health has opted to rationalize the allocation of
Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 cartridges nationwide and to ensure that the more vulnerable
patients and at-risk individuals are prioritized for access.
II. GENERAL GUIDELINES
The following DOH-Licensed COVID-19 Testing Laboratories are the priority recipients of
the Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 cartridges:
1. In affected regions/provinces/cities without access to DOH-licensed COVID-19

testing laboratories with real time Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain
Reaction (f(RT-PCR) but with access to DOH-licensed COVID-19 testing
laboratories with Rapid PCR (GeneXpert).
2. In affected regions/provinces/cities with access to both DOH-licensed COVID-

19 testing laboratories with rRT-PCR and those with Rapid PCR (GeneXpert),
the use of Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 shall be allowed for patients in
emergency cases only.
Ur SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
As per the Department Memorandum No. 2020-0258-A entitled “Amendment to Department
Memorandum No. 2020-0258 entitled Updated Interim Guidelines on Expanded Testing for
COVID-19”, the cartridges shall be utilized in a more responsible and efficient way, and testing
using these cartridges shall be prioritized based on the subgroup classification:
Building 1, San Lazaro Compound, Rizal Avenue, Sta. Cruz, 1003 Manila e Trunk Line 651-7800 Iecal 1108, 1111, 1112, 1113
Direct Line: 711-9502; 711-9503 Fax: 743-1829 e URL: http://Awww.doh.gov.ph; e-mail: ftduque@doh.gov.ph
A. For affected regions/provinces/cities without access to rRT-PCR but with access to
Rapid PCR (GeneXpert) using Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 cartridges only, the
following subgreups shall be prioritized for COVID-19 Testing:
1. Subgroup A: Individuals with severe/critical symptoms and relevant history of

travel and/or contact;
2. Subgroup B: Individuals with miid symptoms and relevant history of travel

and/or contact, and considered vulnerable. Vulnerable populations include
those elderly and with preexisting medical conditions that predispose them to
severe presentation and complications of COVID-19;
3. Sub-group C: Individuals with mild symptoms, and relevant history of travel

and/or contact; and
4. Sub-group F: Other vulnerable patients and those living in confined spaces.

These include, but are not limited to:
i. Pregnant patients who shall be tested during the peripartum period;
ii. Dialysis patients;
iii. Patients who are immunocompromised, such as those who have
HIV/AIDS, inherited diseases that affect the immune system;
iv.
v.
Patients undergoing chemotherapy
or radiotherapy;
Patients who will undergo elective surgical procedures with high risk
for transmission;
vi. Any person who have had organ transplants, or have had bone marrow
or stem cell transplant the past 6 months; and
vii. Any person who is about to be admitted in enclosed institutions such
as jails, penitentiaries, and mental institutions
Individuals falling under (i) to (vi) above shall be tested at the
discretion of the attending physician, following the existing guidelines
of their respective professional or medical societies. Meanwhile,
testing of individuals classified as (vii) above is mandatory prior to
admission into the facility.
B. However, for affected regions/provinces/cities with access to both DOH-licensed

COVID-19 testing laboratories with rRT-PCR and those with Rapid PCR (GeneXpert),
the use of Xpert® Xpress SARS-CoV-2 cartridges shall be prioritized for patients with
emergency situations or life-threatening conditions to
facilitate immediate diagnosis of
COVID-19 disease and necessary treatment.
For strict compliance and dissemination to all concerned.
FRANCISCO
T.
Secretary
UE
of
TIT,
Health
MD, MSe

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of the Philippines

August 03, 2020

TO: BANGSAMOGRO AUTONOMOUS REGION IN MUSLIM

SUBJECT: Prioritization of COVID-19 Testing using Xpert Xpress

1. In affected regions/provinces/cities without access to DOH-licensed COVID-19

2. In affected regions/provinces/cities with access to both DOH-licensed COVID-

1. Subgroup A: Individuals with severe/critical symptoms and relevant history of

2. Subgroup B: Individuals with miid symptoms and relevant history of travel

3. Sub-group C: Individuals with mild symptoms, and relevant history of travel

4. Sub-group F: Other vulnerable patients and those living in confined spaces.

B. However, for affected regions/provinces/cities with access to both DOH-licensed

For strict compliance and dissemination to all concerned.

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