ANGELES CITY – In its continuing efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the city government has conducted a total number of 2,383 free Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) tests and more than 10,000 free rapid tests.
“During the start of the pandemic, Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has ordered COVID-19 mass testing using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved rapid testing kits,” Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center Officer In Charge Dr. Froilan Canlas said.
Lazatin has appropriated a total of P88 million for procurement of 30,000 rapid testing kits, RT-PCR (swab tests), procurement of four units of ventilators, cardiac monitors, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks for RLMMC, formerly Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA).
RLMMC was designated by the city government as its COVID 19 center.
Based on the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) on expanded testing coverage, individuals who are at risk and need to be tested include: suspected cases, individuals with relevant history of travel and exposure, health workers, individuals 60 years old or older, or those with existing illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes, which makes them immunocompromised.
“A person who is declared a ‘close contact’ with a COVID-19 patient will be swabbed on the fifth to seventh day after exposure, when he/she manifests cough, flu, fever, and loss of taste and smell,” CHO Dr. Verona Guevarra explained.
“If the ‘close contact,’ displays no symptoms after five to seven days of being exposed to the COVID-19 patient, he/she will still undergo rapid testing,” she added.
Furthermore, Dr. Guevarra says that upon the orders of Mayor Lazatin, further rapid testing will be done to nearby neighbors of the COVID-19 patient; houses located five to the left and right, as well as on the three houses located in front of the COVID-19 patient’s house.
“Ginagawa natin ito upang maseguro ang kapakanan, kalusugan, at kaligtasan ng bawat Angeleños, at para maiwasan ang tuluyan pang pagkalat ng virus sa siyudad,” Lazatin said.
