In this file photo, Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro (left) and architect Raymond Aquino (right) inspect the new facility that will house the city’s COVID-19 testing center. —CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines — Three tricycle drivers in Marikina City have tested positive in a coronavirus rapid test, Mayor Marcy Teodoro said Tuesday as he announced the local government’s target to test 6,000 others by Friday.
“Kahapon, 1,084 ang na-test natin. Sa 1,084, may tatlong nag-positive at nung magpositive sila, qinuarantine agad natin sila at subject sila ngayon sa confirmatory test doon sa ating laboratory testing center,” Teodoro said in an interview on dzBB.
(Yesterday, we tested 1,084 drivers. Three of thrm tested positive. They were placed under quarantine and were subjected to a confirmatory test in our laboratory testing center.)
“Kahapon ay sinwab na rin sila so kung makikita ngayong araw ay positive sila, e sisimulan na yung medical treatment na kailangan ibigay sa kanila,” he added.
(They were swabbed yesterday so if they turn out to be positive today, they will be given due medical attention.)
Marikina City earlier allowed tricycles and pedicabs to resume operations provided that only one passenger will be carried and that drivers use of face masks and carry out regular disinfection procedures.
While it is not mandatory to undergo testing in order to resume operations, Teodoro said this is a precautionary measure to protect the drivers, their families and the passengers.
“Hindi naman mandatory at hindi naman kundisyon para makapagbyahe, pero sila ay sinasubject natin as a matter of precaution sa rapid testing na ginagawa ng Marikina ngayon. 6,000 na driver ng tricycle, simula kahapon hanggang Biyernes, ay nagtetesting tayo, nagmamass testing tayo,” Teodoro said.
(It is not mandatory and it is not a condition for them to operate. But we are subjecting them to rapid testing as precaution. 6,000 tricycle drivers starting yesterday until Friday will be tested.)
“Sinasabi ng DOH [Department of Health], hindi naman daw kailangan i-test lahat. Pero dito sa Marikina, tinetest na natin lahat ng driver para makasiguro tayo. Ligtas sila sa infection, pati pamilya nila naproproteksyunan nila, higit sa lahat yung pasaherong sasakay sa kanila. Ayaw natin magkaroon ng transmission,” he further said.
(The DOH it is not necessary to test everyone. But here in Marikina, we are testing all drivers to ensure they are safe from infection, as well as their families and their passengers. We don’t want to have any transmission.)
The DOH earlier said those who are returning to work in places under modified enhanced community quarantine are not required to undergo a coronavirus test unless they have symptoms or were exposed to a COVID-19 patient.