COVID-19

First mega swabbing center to open Wednesday

The Palacio de Maynila along Roxas Boulevard, one the four mega swabbing centers in Metro Manila, is set to start operation on Wednesday to expand the country’s testing capacity amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on 24 Oras News Alert on Tuesday, the Palacio de Maynila, an events place turned into a swabbing facility, is expected to process about 1,000 tests per day in Metro Manila's west sector.

Medical technologists from the Philippine Coast Guard will be the ones to conduct the swab tests.

The Palacio de Maynila was earlier inspected by Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Presidential Peace Adviser Carlito Galvez Jr., Philippine Coast Guard commandant admiral Joel Garcia and Bases Conversion and Development Authority president Vince Dizon.

Meanwhile, the three other swabbing centers -- the Philippine Sports Stadium in Bulacan, Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City and Enderun Tent McKinley Hill in Taguig City -- will be opened to the public within the week.

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 said the four mega swabbing facilities are expected to process at least 5,000 tests per day.

Galvez, the chief implementor of the government's efforts against COVID-19, earlier said the government’s goal is to be able to test at least 30,000 by the end of May. --Ma. Angelica Garcia/KBK, GMA News