667 of 4,000 test positive in City of Manila’s free, drive-thru COVID-19 testing

 DRIVE-THRU TESTING Motorists stop to be tested for the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 at the drive-thru testing  area near the Manila City Hall.(LYN RILLON)

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 667 out of around 4,000 persons who availed of the City of Manila’s free,  drive-thru COVID-19 testing  tested positive for the novel coronavirus, Mayor Isko Moreno disclosed Friday.

“We have about 4,000 people, more or less. Iba pa yung walk-in. Yung drive thru, 4,000 people. Sad to say, out of 4,000, we have 667 turned positive as of yesterday,” Moreno said in an interview on ANC.

Manila recently opened two free drive-thru testing facilities — one at Plaza Lawton near the city hall and one at the Quirino Grandstand. 

Both testing sites are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“Ang pinakamabisa, dahil ngayon alam mo na, ito yung key, hindi ka na basta basta gagala gala. You will protect yourself naturally to survive. You’re gonna protect your family to be safe,” he said.

The drive-thru COVID-19 testing facilities are open, on a first come, first serve basis, to residents and non-residents of the City of Manila.

Similar to rapid test kits, the city uses blood as samples to test for COVID-19.

The samples are screened via serology machines that help detect the presence of IgG antibody for the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 which causes COVID-19.

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