More tests at Santa Ana Hospital approved
Manila-run Santa Ana Hospital will start processing coronavirus tests after the Department of Health (DOH) approved its testing laboratory’s license to operate on Thursday.
The new facility allows the hospital to process 200 swab tests in one day, increasing the city government’s capacity to 350 tests per day, according to the Manila public information office.
The renewable license is valid until Dec. 31.
In May, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso announced that the city government was building its own testing laboratory equipped with polymerase chain reaction machines.
Rigorous process
Prior to this, swab samples from Manila’s hospitals and quarantine facility were processed by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) and the Philippine General Hospital.
Hospital director Grace Padilla said the DOH and RITM guided them through the rigorous process.
Santa Ana Hospital also houses the Manila Infectious Disease Control Center, whose facilities on the 9th and 10th floors of the hospital were assigned for the treatment of coronavirus patients.
Vendors go ‘cashless’
Vendors occupying new stalls near Manila City Hall will soon be able to accept payments through e-wallet app PayMaya.
A total of 90 stalls have been placed in key areas in Manila to provide a “dignified” space for street vendors. The partnership between the Manila city government and PayMaya is expected to lead to more digital services by the city government and the private sector.
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What you need to know about Coronavirus.
For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.
The Inquirer Foundation supports our healthcare frontliners and is still accepting cash donations to be deposited at Banco de Oro (BDO) current account #007960018860 or donate through PayMaya using this link.
