Marikina COVID-19 cases in evacuation centers still at 3 as contacts test negative

Marikina Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro on Saturday said the COVID-19 cases in evacuation centers remained at three after their contacts tested negative for the novel coronavirus.

"Nakapag-surveillance testing na sa evacuation centers. Tatlo ang nag-positive. 'Yung mga contact nila ay negative," Teodoro said in an interview on Dobol B sa News TV.

"PCR test ang mga ginawa natin. 'Yung iba ay rapid test for purposes of screening. One hundred ten ang nagkaroon ng reaction sa rapid test. Out of that, 3 lang ang nag-positive," he said.

On Friday, two evacuees tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the total to three cases.

Teodoro said 12,000 individuals or 3,000 families are staying in evacuation centers after Typhoon Ulysses caused widespread flooding in Marikina last week.

The mayor said they are monitoring the situation to ensure COVID-19 cases will not increase in evacuation centers.

"More or less 1.5% ang positivity rate dito, which is well within the World Health Organization benchmark," Teodoro said.

An OCTA Research report this month pointed out that the COVID-19 positivity rate in Metro Manila has gone down to 4%, meeting the WHO recommendation that the positivity rate remain below 5%.

"Priority natin ay makabangon sa kahirapan dulot ng bagyo," Teodoro said, adding that many residents were not able to save any of their belongings, including clothes.

Teodoro said almost 50,000 families were affected by the flooding.

The mayor urged those conducting medical missions to go to Marikina and help residents.

"Kailangan namin ng mga medical mission sa aming communities," he said.

 —KG, GMA News