Antipolo health office out-patient department temporarily closed

The out-patient department of the Antipolo City health office will be temporarily closed after some of its staff tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through a rapid test, GMA’s Unang Balita reported Tuesday.

In his report, GMA’s Bam Alegre said the medical staff are now under quarantine and waiting for the result of their reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or swab test.

Rapid tests can only detect the antibodies produced to combat the virus. It gives instant results and does not require the rigorous laboratory process which has 24- to 48-hour turnaround time.

On the other hand, RT-PCR tests, the gold standard in COVID-19 testing, require laboratory processes as these specifically detect the specific coronavirus strain in the samples and not just the presence of antibodies.

As of July 27, Antipolo City has 613 confirmed COVID-19 cases, of which 237 are active cases, 327 have recovered, and 49 died.

Meanwhile, barangay officers noted that the lockdown implemented in their localities was a big help to make the residents follow quarantine protocols.

“(Dati) makukulit, talagang merong hindi nagpe-face mask, laging maraming tambay. Ngayon umiikot kami, nagro-roving kami,  tahimik naman, wala namang nagpasaway,” Salvador Branaderos, police security officer of Barangay Dalig.

Aside from portions of Sitio Tubigan in Barangay Dalig; Sitio Upper Ruhat 3A, Brgy. Mambugan; 1st Street in Sitio Oreta, Brgy. San Isidro; Sitio Kamandag 3 at the boundary of Barangays Bagong Nayon and Mayamot; and Zapanta Compound in Brgy. San Roque were also under lockdown from July 27 to 31.

Only those who have medical emergencies, or are authorized persons outside residence (APOR) such as those allowed to work in industries given permission to operate under general community quarantine (GCQ), and those needing to buy essential goods can leave their homes.—AOL, GMA News