QC to test local gov't employees for COVID-19

Quezon City government personnel on duty during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will be prioritized for the coronavirus disease testing this week, the local government announced Sunday.

In an emailed statement, the QC government said the testing will be held starting Monday, June 22 until Friday, June 26, at the Quezon City Hall compound.

The announcement was made over a month after the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) was lifted in Quezon City on May 15.

It was followed by a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) which lasted until May 31, and the general community quarantine (GCQ) which had been extended until June 30.

"We will maximize all available resources within the bounds of the guidelines issued by the national government," said QC Mayor Joy Belmonte.

"Uunahin muna natin ang ating mga tauhan na pumasok noong ECQ dahil mas malaki ang tsansa na sila’y maaring na-expose sa virus," she added.

The QC government said workers from the Office of the City Mayor, Office of the City Administrator, BPLD, CTO, Tourism, Assessor's Office, City Architect's Department, Department of Building Official, and Engineering Department will be prioritized.

It will also prioritize the City Health Department, Quezon City Medical Center, Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital, Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD), Market Development and Administration Department (MDAD), Transport and Traffic Management Taskforce.

This also includes Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), Environmental Protection and Waste Management Department (EPWMD), General Services Department (GSD), Social Services and Development Department (SSDD), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), and Radio Communications Service.

Employees covered by the guidelines will be required to submit a digital self-assessment form via email, which will be reviewed and assessed by the City Health Department headed by Dr. Esperanza Arias.

All employees who will test positive through the rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) will be required to undergo the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for confirmation.

"All personnel tested positive to IgM+ on RDT and symptomatic must undergo mandatory quarantine, either through home isolation or in one of the HOPE Community Caring Facilities, while waiting for the PCR result,” said Arias.

Symptomatic employees will immediately undergo the PCR testing, without the RDT.

According to Belmonte, time spent under quarantine of personnel will not be deducted from their sick leave.

As of Saturday, June 20, 2020, there have been a total of 29,400 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. This includes 7,650 recoveries and 1,150 deaths.

Quezon City was the city with the second-highest number of confirmed cases with 2,848, following Cebu City with 3,317. — DVM, GMA News