Elderly barangay tanod tests positive for coronavirus in Zambales
SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — A mass testing for the coronavirus in this province on Saturday yielded only one positive result, local health officials said.
Dr. Noel Bueno, provincial health director, said they tested 130 people, and only a 69-year-old barangay (village ) tanod (watchman) from the town of Candelaria was confirmed to have contracted the coronavirus.
“Those [people who have been tested] were mostly front-liners, and suspected and probable patients for COVID-19,” Bueno told the Inquirer.
The swab samples taken during the mass testing were initially submitted to the Philippine Lung Center between April 19 to 30.
But due to the delay in the release of their test results, the provincial government decided to also submit swab samples to the Philippine Red Cross on May 12.
“Kailangan ng extra effort para lumabas na agad yung mga resulta kaya kahit may bayad, P3,500 per patient, nagbayad nalang para mapabilis lang,” Bueno said.
According to Bueno, more mass testings in the province are underway under the general community quarantine status.
“Some more results are expected to be released and specimens from remaining patients are to be sent to the testing laboratory on Sunday,” he added.
/MUF
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