Marikina City conducts rapid tests on typhoon evacuees; 1 positive for COVID-19

Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, oversees the rapid testing being conducted at Barangka Elementary School. Marikina City is conducting simultaneous testing at evacuation sites to stop the spread of COVID-19 among evacuees. Image: Courtesy of the Marikina City local government

MANILA, Philippines — The Marikina City local government is conducting rapid coronavirus disease (COVID-19) tests on evacuees affected by the devastation of Typhoon Ulysses and are staying at various evacuation centers after one evacuee tested positive for COVID-19.

In a statement on Wednesday, Mayor Marcelino Teodoro identified the patient as a 68-year-old male evacuee temporarily sheltered at the Barangay Barangka Elementary School. The patient, Teodoro added, has comorbidities.

The patient is currently isolated at the Marikina Hotel and is receiving medical support.

“Lahat ng mga nakasalamuha niya at nakasama niya sa evacuation center batay dun sa contact tracing na 13 katao ay negative naman,” Teodoro said.

(All the 13 people he had interacted with in the evacuation center, based on the contact tracing conducted, have tested negative.)

“Tinest din natin ang kanyang limang family members, at mabuti naman na ang lumabas sa PCR testing ay negative lahat; iyong asawa niya na 62 years old at ang tatlong anak niya,” he added.

Mayor Marcelino “Marcy” Teodoro on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020, oversees the rapid testing being conducted at Barangka Elementary School. Marikina City is conducting simultaneous testing at evacuation sites to stop the spread of COVID-19 among evacuees. Image: Courtesy of the Marikina City local government

(We also tested his five family members, his 62-year-old wife, and their three children, and it’s good to know that based on the PCR testing, they tested negative as well.)

Marikina is one of the hardest-hit areas by Typhoon Ulysses, as it brought massive floods to the city.

Teodoro earlier said Ulysses left in its wake at least P30 billion worth of destroyed goods and property.

Currently, there are 15,000 individuals currently being sheltered in various evacuation centers across the city, Teodoro said.

And to combat COVID-19, the mayor added that there are now 190 contact tracers focused on the evacuation centers.

Aside from contact tracers, the Marikina City government also put up rapid testing centers at each evacuation city, Teodoro said.

As of Nov. 18, Marikina City has 183 active COVID-19 cases, according to the city government.

/MUF