Navotas eyes 1,000 swab tests a day to halt virus spread

MANILA, Philippines — To encourage more residents to have themselves tested for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the Navotas City government increased the number of people who would be allowed to go to a testing center in Malate, Manila.

From 300 a day, up to 1,000 residents can now undergo swab tests at the Palacio de Manila until July 31.

According to the Navotas public information office, priority will be given to the close contacts of confirmed cases as well as those who will volunteer for testing.

“We highly encourage everyone to get themselves tested. Think of it as your simple contribution in our fight against COVID-19. By participating in the swab test, you also protect yourself and your loved ones,” Mayor Toby Tiangco said in a statement.

Interested residents will be asked to electronically or physically submit to their respective barangays an accomplished case investigation form from the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit and a valid ID card.

After an assessment to be done by the barangay and city health office, the residents will be informed of their swab test schedule.

From July 23 to 25, the city will also conduct a “lockdown swab testing” for 3,000 residents, with senior citizens, pregnant women, minors and persons with disabilities to be given priority.

Rapid rise

Tiangco placed the whole of Navotas on a 14-day lockdown until July 29 after he noted the rapid increase in COVID-19 cases in the city.

As of Wednesday, around 9,500 polymerase chain reaction swab tests had been conducted by the city government.

Tiangco said the Philippine Red Cross and some government officials had provided a total of 18,000 test kits to facilitate mass testing in Navotas, adding that they now had 15 contact tracing teams to help contain the spread of the virus among communities.

“We will strive to use all these so we could get a clearer picture of our COVID-19 situation and carry out the appropriate response… As of [Monday], we have sent a total of 148 patients to quarantine facilities at the World Trade Center, Philippine Arena and New Clark City,” he added.

Last week, Dr. Christia Padolina, city health officer, said both of Navotas’ community isolation facilities and the city’s lone hospital had run out of room for new patients, but assured the public that they were in coordination with neighboring cities to transfer patients.