MANILA, Philippines — Sixteen residents of Barangay Addition Hills in Mandaluyong City, which was placed under total lockdown for one week, have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes the coronavirus disease — and will undertake treatment in isolation facilities.
In a phone interview with Jimmy Isidro, chief of Mandaluyong Public Information Office, said they conducted an initial rapid COVID-19 testing for 3,000 residents. Of which, 514 was found positive for the novel coronavirus. After the rapid test, the 514 individuals underwent swab tests for confirmatory testing.
Isidro said the Mandaluyong health department on Thursday morning reported “partial results” of 16 residents who tested positive for the novel coronavirus.
“During the lockdown, 514 na-swab na. May partial results kanina, 16 partial pa lang. Sana nga wala na madagdagan pa,” he said.
(During the lockdown, 514 underwent swabbing. We have partial results earlier of 16 residents. We hope it won’t increase anymore.)
Isidro said the 16 residents either have mild symptoms or showing no symptoms.
He added that they have started rapid testing for frontline workers from supermarkets and public markets to determine whether or not they have been infected with the respiratory ailment. But he said they have yet to receive the number of COVID-19 cases from frontline workers in markets.
The Mandaluyong village was placed under total lockdown from May 7 to May 14 to undergo COVID-19 testing among its residents after recording a surge of COVID-19 cases in the area.
Barangay Mauway rapid testing
Meanwhile, Isidro said 19 out of 1,000 residents tested positive for the virus during rapid testing in Barangay Mauway, which also underwent total lockdown for two days.
As of Wednesday, 19 residents were placed in quarantine facilities to undertake swab tests, Isidro said.
The lockdown began at 12:00 a.m., May 11 until 11:59 p.m., May 13 due to the increase of cases in the village.