Antipolo market on 14-day lockdown after 18 test positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — The Antipolo New Public Market was placed under a 14-day lockdown after 18 tenants and vendors tested positive for the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

“Sa bisa ng isang closure order na ipinalabas ngayong araw, June 30, 2020, pansamantalang ipinasara ang Antipolo New Public Market matapos magpositibo sa RT-PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) COVID test ang 18 tenants at vendors nito sa isinagawang expanded targeted testing ng pamahalaang lungsod sa nasabing establisyimento,” the Antipolo City government said in a statement on Wednesday.

(Under a closure order released today, June 30, 2020, the Antipolo New Public Market is temporarily closed after 18 tenants and vendors tested positive in RT-PCR COVID-19 tests under the expanded targeted testing conducted by the city government in the said establishment.)

The local government said it conducted rapid antibody tests among almost 800 tenants and employees of the public market on June 25.

Twenty-eight of those who tested positive in the rapid test and 20 others exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 then went through RT-PCR tests, of which 18 tested positive.

Those found to have COVID-19 based on swab tests are currently undergoing quarantine since June 25.

“Agad naman nagpatupad ng perimeter control ang kapulisan at barangay upang tiyakin na walang makakapasok sa nasabing establisyimento sa loob ng temporary closure na aabot ng 14 araw batay sa existing guidelines,” said the Antipolo LGU.

(The police and barangay officials have immediately conducted perimeter control to ensure that no one will be able to enter the establishment under the 14-day temporary closure based on existing guidelines.)

The local government added it will conduct disinfection operations of the public market.

EDV