Century Properties pioneers use of cutting-edge antigen testing in Covid-19

THE Antonio-led Century Properties Group (CPG) is leaving no stone unturned as far as the safety of its workers is concerned.

The property developer recently announced that it is now using the latest antigen test from the United States, the Sofia 2 SARS Antigen Fluorescent Immunoassay as part of the testing protocols for its on-site company employees and construction workers.

CPG President and Chief Executive Officer Marco Antonio said the addition of the said antigen to its three-level personnel screening protocols as a second-level test after the Cellex rapid test (which detects IgG and IgM antibodies) and prior to the RT-PCR swab test to enhance further safety in the workplace. “Fast and accurate results from this new test will allow us to act swiftly and prevent the spread of infection in our construction sites, communities and offices,” Antonio said.

Moreover, Antonio is also spearheading CPG’s workplace safety efforts together with the human resources team.

Antonio said Sofia 2 provides fast results as it can detect active virus in less than 20 minutes through painless swabs with 100 percent specificity and 96.7 percent accuracy. Manufactured by California-based Quidei Corp., Sofia 2 is distributed by LabX Corp. and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration of the United States and the Philippines. Moreover, Sofia 2 is also being used in the United States and Europe as an acceptable confirmatory test for Covid-19.

Centuria Medical Makati, CPG’s outpatient medical arts facility, formed a partnership with LabX to open a drive-thru service for Sofia 2 in Century City to serve more people and companies. Centuria Medical general manager revealed the service received a warm reception since its launching on mid-September. “This shows how receptive private citizens are to getting tested for Covid-19 using accurate and reasonably-priced tests. CPG through Centuria Medical Makati is pleased to contribute to Covid-19 prevention not only for the benefit of its employees but the general public,” he said. From July to May, Antonio said CPG performed Covid-19 rapid tests to more than 1,700 workers and site personnel before proceeding construction of the in-city vertical developments in Makati City, San Fernando, Pampanga and Quezon City, as well as the five project sites of PHirst Park Homes in Tanza,Cavite; Lipa, Batangas; San Pablo and Calamba, Laguna and Pandi, Bulacan.

Aside from implementing antibody rapid testing, antigen testing (through Sofia 2) and RT-PCR swab testing, Antonio said CPG is strict in adhering in implementing health protocols such as daily temperature scanning and health monitoring safety orientations, the mandatory wearing of masks, and observing physical social distancing. Furthermore, handwashing areas are provided to make it a regular habit for workers to wash their hands more often. To ensure they remain healthy, workers and employees are provided with health kits, face masks and vitamins.

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Article and Photo originally posted by Business Mirror last October 13, 2020 and written by Rizal Raoul Reyes.