Localized targeted COVID-19 mass testing conducted in Manila, QC, and Valenzuela City
Three cities in Metro Manila have already begun localized targeted COVID-19 mass testing, namely: Valenzuela City, Quezon City, and the City of Manila.
A boy is tested for the Coronavirus Disease in Valenzuela City
Valenzuela City
Valenzuela City had started their COVID-19 mass testing yesterday, April 12, with 25 persons under investigation (PUI). The swab samples gathered will be processed by The Medical City and the Lung Center of the Philippines, and the results will be released two to five days after testing.
The Valenzuela City government aims to test all of their 537 PUIs and PUMs before the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) ends on April 30.
City of Manila
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso has given his go signal to the Manila Health Department (MHD) and the city's six district hospitals to conduct localized targeted mass testing in their city.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso inspects COVID-19 testing facility | Photo by: ManilaPIO (FB)
The Manila City government reports that the following health facilities are now capable of conducting about 232 COVID-19 swab tests per day, or 1,624 per week:
1) MHD/Delpan Quarantine Facility -- 50 tests per day
2) Ospital ng Maynila -- 20 tests per day
3) Sta. Ana Hospital/MIDCC -- 30 tests per day
4) Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center -- 50 tests per day
5) Ospital ng Tondo -- 17 tests per day
6) Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital -- 15 tests per day
7) Ospital ng Sampaloc -- 50 tests per day
The Department of Health's Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (DOH-RITM) and/or the University of the Philippines Philippine General Hospital (UP-PGH) will examine the swab samples collected in Manila City's mass testing.
Sample of COVID-19 swab booths in Quezon CIty
Quezon City
150 Quezon City residents are scheduled to be tested for COVID-19 today, April 13, at the Quezon City Experience Museum (QCX Museum), at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
According to Project Director Joseph Juico, these people are suspected COVID-19 patients with symptoms, and they have been recommended for testing by the QC Health Department in coordination with the barangays.
Swab booths will be used during the community-based testing to lessen the exposure of health workers to possible COVID-19 patients, and also to minimize the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Quezon City launches swabbing booths for COVID-19 testing
One vehicle will be provided for each patient in order to ensure physical distancing. The swab samples will be sent to the DOH-RITM for processing and results are expected to be released after three to five days.
Those who will test negative will be allowed to go home, but are still required to undergo self-quarantine for 14 days. While those who will test positive for COVID-19 will be automatically referred to Hope 2, under the care of health practitioners equipped to deal with mild symptoms
The QC government reports that the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) will soon be providing 1,500 additional testing and extraction kits, and that the QC gov't is also in the process of procuring 10,000 swabs and universal transport media (UTM) kits.
Moreover, the QC government is also working on possible partnerships with St. Luke's Medical Center (SLMDC) and the Lung Center of the Philippines (LCP) for quicker release of COVID-19 test results.
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