Robredo: OVP to bring back Swab Cab COVID-19 tests amid spike in cases

The Office of the Vice President will reactivate its Swab Cabs mobile COVID-19 testing operations amid the ongoing surge in coronavirus cases in the country, Vice President Leni Robredo said on Monday.

In a statement, Robredo said the OVP's Bayanihan E-Konsulta teleconsulting services would also continue its operations even as she said her campaign headquarters would temporarily be closed.

Relief operations for victims of Typhoon Odette, however, would continue.

"Pansamantalang ititigil ang mga operasyon sa aming campaign headquarters para sa kaligtasan ng mga volunteer at staff, pero magpapatuloy ang pagbibigay ng tulong sa mga lugar na apektado ng bagyong Odette," Robredo said.

"Nananatiling bukas ang Bayanihan E-Konsulta at ibabalik natin ang Swab Cab ngayong linggo bilang bahagi ng ating COVID response," she added.

Robredo urged Filipinos to take the necessary precautions and continue to follow health protocols against COVID-19.

The Department of Health (DOH) on Monday registered 4,084 additional coronavirus disease infections, bringing the Philippines' total tally to 2,855,819.

Of the new infections, the DOH data showed that 4,057 occurred within 14 days from December 21, 2021 to January 3, 2022.

The top regions with infections in the recent two weeks were Metro Manila with 2,831 or 70%, followed by Calabarzon with 571 or 14% and Central Luzon with 273 or 7%.

"Dahil sa biglaan at patuloy na pagtaas ng bilang ng kaso ng COVID sa ating bansa, nananawagan po ako sa ating mga kababayan na mag-ingat at patuloy na sundin ang mga health protocols," Robredo said.

"Proteksyunan natin ang ating mga mahal sa buhay at tumulong na mapababa ang kaso ng COVID sa pamamagitan ng sakripisyo natin. Hindi man madali ang sitwasyon, alam natin na kaya nating malampasan ito kung magkakaisa tayo," she added. —NB, GMA News