The medical doctor who had a close contact with the 89-year-old Covid positive patient from Calape, Bohol tested positive for immunoglobulin M (IgM) after said doctor was subjected to a new Covid-specific antibody test.
This information was revealed by Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) chief Dr. Mutya Kismet Macuno.
Macuno made this revelation during a
virtual presser on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
Macuno said that according to medical experts, if one is tested positive for IgM, it means that this person has an active viral infection.
In the virtual presser, Macuno announced that a new antibody test was used. This new test is called chemiluminescence principle bioassay capable of the determination of the Covid-19 or SARS-CoV-2.
Macuno also said that the new test is 91% specific for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and 98% specific for immunoglobulin G (IgG).
The test, done last Wednesday, June 10, 2020, was given to 22 quarantined GCGMH health workers, including the doctor, who had a close contact with the Calape patient, the GCGMH hospital chief said.
The World Health Organization has identified the SARS-CoV-2 as the virus that causes the Covid respiratory illness.
ANNOUNCEMENT
During the virtual presser, Macuno, who spoke in the dialect said: “Akong e-announce ang usa ka doctor, kadto gyud ning intubate sya directly sa pasyente, positive ang iyang IgM.”
The GCGMH chief also said that there is no need for the IgM positive doctor to take the PCR test, as he is asymptomatic.
“The protocol will be: e-continue for another seven (7) days ang iyang quarantine o pag isolate,” Macuno added.
She continued by saying that after the 7th day of the extended quarantine, the doctor will take another Covid-specific antibody test.
Macuno stressed that the medical doctor who is IgM positive, is already done with his 14-day quarantine and the last day of this quarantine was on Wednesday (June 10).
As the medical doctor who tested positive for IgM is considered as a “probable” case, contact tracing will be initiated, Macuno explained.
Macuno added that upon tracing, it was learned that the above-mentioned doctor who is IgM positive, came in contact with only one person after dealing with the Covid positive patient from Calape (who died) and this person is the medical doctor’s girlfriend.
As the medical doctor’s girlfriend had a close contact with him in the last seven (7) days, this girlfriend will have to be subjected to a PCR test, Macuno told the audience during the virtual presser.
THE NEW TEST
Unlike the rapid antibody test, the chemiluminescence principle bioassay is a test being done in the laboratory, Macuno said.
Macuno said, ”Wa man gyud nato ni sya (the new test) e-pasulod or wa ta mo, you know, start ani (ang test) not unless gi research sa atong infection control, (and) gi recommend sya sa atong pathologist.”
Macuno also said, “Ang iyang (the new test) pagka specific for IgM SARS-CoV-2 is 91% and for the IgG is 98%.”
Macuno continued by saying, “Together they have this score of as high as 96% specific and sensitive.”
UNHAPPY
Macuno said that she is unhappy with the result where a health worker (the medical doctor) tested IgM positive and she is pushing to re-emphasize the protocols: “Dapat atong sigurohon na wa bay breach sa atong PPE (personal protective equipment) that was used by the health worker).”
She is not saying there is a breach but an infection “can happen anytime”.
Macuno shared that the now IgM positive medical doctor was not the one supposed to perform the intubation procedure on the 89-year-old man from Calape.
However, this medical doctor volunteered to be the one to perform the procedure, Macuno added.
COVID CASES IN BOHOL BASED ON THE PCR TEST
As far as positive PCR tests are concerned, Bohol, to date, has the following date:
*One Chinese tourist who tested positive, but eventually recovered.
- Two overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) who tested positive. One of the OFWs tested negative in the repeat test as the other remained positive of the Covid virus in the second test. Eventually, the one who tested positive twice, tested negative.
- Lately, two Boholanos tested positive of Covid: one dead and the other has recovered. This Covid infected patient is now negative of any virus per the result of the repeat PCR test.