Marikina conducts rapid testing at evacuation centers after evacuee tests positive

The Marikina City government on Thursday rolled out rapid testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in evacuation centers where several residents have been staying after fleeing their homes amid the onslaught of Typhoon Ulysses last week.

According to Maki Pulido’s report on Balitanghali, Mayor Marcy Teodoro ordered the targeted testing in some evacuation centers in the city to prevent the further spread of the disease amid the state of calamity in Luzon.

He said those who will be reactive in the rapid test will undergo the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test.

While awaiting the results of the swab test, the individual will be isolated at the Marikina Convention Hotel.

Meanwhile, Teodoro said they were still awaiting for additional rapid test kits after they ran out of them.

Moreover, he said the city government had already deployed contact tracers in evacuation centers.

An evacuee at the Barangka Elementary School had already tested positive for the virus. The patient, a 68-year-old man, has already been isolated and is symptomatic.

"May na-detect kami na isang positive case sa Barangka Elementary School, 68-years-old siya at may comorbidities kaya naging maagap tayo upang hindi lang siya ma-isolate kung hindi higit sa lahat matanggap niya yung medical supportive treatment para gumaling siya agad," Teodoro said in a separate statement.

Teodoro said a contact tracing team immediately identified 13 evacuees that the COVID-19 patient had interaction with.

"Lahat ng mga nakasalamuha niya at nakasama niya sa evacuation center batay doon sa contact tracing na 13 katao ay negative naman," he said.

"Tinest din natin ang kanyang limang family members at mabuti naman na ang lumabas sa PCR testing ay negative lahat; iyong asawa niya na 62-years-old at ang tatlong anak niya," the mayor added.

A large part of Marikina became flooded Thursday after the Marikina River overflowed due to strong overnight rains brought by Ulysses.

So far, there are more than 15,000 individuals staying at evacuation centers in the city.

Teodoro said the city government has already ordered additional rapid test kits. He added that there are 190 contact tracers focused on evacuation centers in the city.

Rapid testing centers have also been installed at evacuation areas, the mayor said.

Teodoro called on donors to add face shields and face masks to their donations as their supply of these protective equipment is running low.

Last week, Teodoro placed the city under state of calamity due to the effects of Ulysses. -MDM, GMA News