Manila’s Sampaloc district conducts mass testing amid ‘hard lockdown’

Image: Courtesy of Manila Public Information Office

MANILA, Philippines — Residents of Sampaloc, Manila took part in the localized mass testing for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on Friday, during the 48-hour “hard lockdown” currently imposed in the district.

According to Dr. Aileen Lacsamana of Ospital ng Sampaloc, a total of 314 residents have undergone testing at the Geronimo Elementary School as of 4:44 p.m. of April 24.

Lacsamana previously stated that the Ospital ng Sampaloc personnel and the Manila Health Department (MHD) aimed to for the rapid testing of 1,000 selected residents for COVID-19.

Persons who will test positive using the rapid test kits will be considered as a “probable” case, Manila Public Information Office chief Julius Leonen said, quoting information provided from the Ospital ng Sampaloc.

“We have MHD personnel on stand by to provide counseling for patients at the Geronimo Elementary School holding area,” Leonen told reporters in a text message. “After this, they will be brought to Delpan Quarantine Facility for confirmatory swab tests.”

Asked for clarification if those brought to the Delpan Quarantine Facility have tested positive for COVID-19 using the rapid test kits, Leonen answered: “Either nag-positive po sa rapid test or nag-negative pero evident ang COVID-19 symptoms so they were categorized as ‘suspect’ [case].”

Should a resident, who has no symptoms of COVID-19, test negative via rapid test kit, he/she will be sent home, Leonen stated.

However, should a resident, who is symptomatic, but tests negative via the rapid test kit, the MHD will assess him/her.

“Upon assessment, the person may be categorized as COVID-19 suspect, meaning they will also undergo confirmatory swab tests. As per DOH classification, suspects are defined through their old classification as ‘PUIs (mild, severe, critical) who have not tested or are awaiting test results,’” the Manila PIO chief explained.

Sampaloc is currently under a 48-hour “hard lockdown” as COVID-19 cases in the area continue to soar.

As per data from the Manila local government, there are currently 110 confirmed COVID-19 in the district of Sampaloc.

EDV