Some evacuees neglecting social distancing at Rodriguez evacuation center

Residents who fled their homes in Rodriguez, Rizal due to Typhoon Ulysses may be facing a higher risk of COVID-19 infection at evacuation centers.

According to Chino Gaston’s report on “24 Oras” on Friday,” the evacuees have been neglecting minimum health protocols such as physical distancing and wearing of face masks whenever supplies arrive.

“Wala po eh. Wala po kaming magagawa eh kahit na po maghiwa-hiwalay po, ganyan din po. Sa isang kwarto, napakarami namin eh,” Marilou Mariano said.

The local government has announced it would roll out antigen testing next week in all evacuation centers to check the further spread of the disease.

A total of 700 test kits from Malacañang will be used.

However, the number of evacuees in the municipality stands at 12,270.

The local government said  it would implement minimum health protocols amid the health crisis.

“Bigyan din ng pansin ‘yong medical kasi ito ‘yong magiging problema namin later on kung magkaroon kami ng leptospirosis or mga dengue diyan, even COVID na hindi pa rin natatapos hanggang ngayon,” municipal health officer Dr. Carmela Javier said.

So far, Rodriguez has recorded 24 active cases of COVID-19 and 44 deaths. -Ma. Angelica Garcia/NB, GMA News