QC locks down agency dorm as 43 residents test positive for COVID-19

A Quezon City dormitory used by a manning agency was placed under a special-concern lockdown after 43 residents tested positive for COVID-19.

According to Saleema Refran's Friday report on 24 Oras, it was initially reported that only six residents at the Barangay Roxas District dormitory had tested positive.

But when QC health officials tested all 130 dorm residents, they found that 36 others were also positive for COVID-19.

"Kung nagsabi sila agad sa atin, na pa-monitor agad natin ang mga tao doon, na bigyan sila ng karapatang paggagamot, at saka yung quarantine nagawa natin agad," said Barangay Chairman Dr. Carmela Gotladera.

("If they had told us about the cases right away, we could have immediately started monitoring the residents, given them the proper medical care, and started the quarantine," said Barangay Chairman Dr. Carmela Gotladera.)

"Ang dating, parang no intention of reporting," Gorladera added.

("It appears that they had no intention of reporting the cases," Gorladera added.)

While all the newly discovered COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic, they all had to remain quarantined in the dormitory.

Those who displayed symptoms were transferred to quarantine facilities.

While awaiting the results of other COVID-19 tests on the other residents, officials were contemplating extending the lockdown on the dormitory beyond 14 days.

"This could have been avoided kung nagfo-follow sila ng minimum health protocol na pinapasunod sa ating lahat," lamented QC Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Rolly Cruz.

("This could have been avoided if they had followed the minimum health protocols that all of us are supposed to observe," lamented QC Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Rolly Cruz.)

"So, obviously, meron silang kapabayaan sa kanilang ginagawang set-up sa kanilang agency."

("So, obviously, there was some neglect in the way they set things up at their agency.")

GMA News had sought comment from the manning agency, which had yet to respond as of posting time.

Meanwhile, among the 33 other QC areas that had been placed under special-concern lockdowns were an alleyway in Barangay Commonwealth and a section of the Bagbag Public Cemetery.

The cemetery, however, remained open. — DVM, GMA News