RITM warns public vs COVID-19 test fraud

MANILA, Philippines — The Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) has asked the public to be vigilant against “unscrupulous individuals” posing as its employees and offering swab test services and issuing falsified SARS-CoV-2 confirmatory test results.

In a statement, the RITM said it was alerted about such illegal activities after receiving requests for verification of 27 COVID-19 test results from various private companies and some diseases reporting units (DRUs).

Twenty of these fake results were reportedly used for travel, three for hotel accommodations and four for other purposes.

“RITM reiterates that it has not authorized any other agency or third-party organizations and individuals to collect samples or arrange an online appointment for PCR testing on behalf of the institute in exchange for a fee,” its press statement read in part.

Celia Carlos, RITM director, stressed that the use of fake laboratory results “poses a danger not only to individuals, but to their family, their workplace and their community.”

“When you go around without confirming your status, you are putting everyone around you at risk,” Carlos said, as she warned the public of the risks.

According to RITM, the release of official laboratory results is not subject to any form of payment.

“As a government institution, providing services to the public such as SARS-CoV-2 PCR testing at RITM is subsidized and reimbursed through PhilHealth and no extra charges are imposed,” the statement also read.

RITM maintained that only the results released formally by the RITM Surveillance and Response Unit and the Health Information Management Department are legitimate.

Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the public should get themselves tested for COVID-19 in laboratories that are licensed by the Food and Drug Administration.

“We can be assured that the result is authentic and official if we get it from a laboratory that had been licensed by the government,” Vergeire added.