510 of Mandaluyong’s 750 suspected COVID-19 patients tested

MANILA, Philippines – At least 510 of Mandaluyong City’s 750 suspected COVID-19 cases have been subjected to mass testing, the local government said on Monday.

The city government said in a statement posted on Facebook that the specimens were collected from the city’s swab station, and was forwarded by the city to the Philippine Red Cross’ molecular laboratory.

“Umabot na sa 510 ang napasama sa ating mass testing mula sa 750 na COVID suspects ng lungsod,” the Mandaluyong City Public Information Office said.

“Ang mga nakolektang specimen mula sa ating swab station at sa mga pinuntahan sa bahay ng ating City Health Department ay kasalukuyang pinoproseso ng Philippine Red Cross gamit ang kanilang molecular laboratory,” they added.

According to the local government, mass testing is still ongoing daily, while other frontline workers from hospitals, city health personnel, disaster response, and cemetery workers would be submitted to the tests.

Observers believe that mass testing should be a priority of the government, while huge parts of the country including Luzon is under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) which restricted movement and forced people to stay at home.

Several Metro Manila cities and other provinces have started mass testing to curb the rising numbers of coronavirus-infected patients.  The ECQ over most parts of Luzon will end on April 30, while President Rodrigo Duterte has chosen to extend the ECQ over some areas including the national capital region until May 15.

As of April 26, Mandaluyong has 338 confirmed COVID-19 patients, 32 of which have died, while 56 were recovered while another 140 were discharged.

The Department of Health said that there are now 7,777 patients infected with the coronavirus nationwide, of which 511 have died and 932 have recovered.  Worldwide, over 2.9 million individuals have been infected, while at least 206,502 have died from the disease and over 834,656 have recovered from it.