LOOK: OVP’s Swab Cab returns to Cavite to test residents for COVID

The Swab Cab initiative in Imus was made possible by OVP’s partnership with the local government led by Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi; the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit; respective barangay officials and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams; UBE Express; Air Intellipure; and volunteers. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

MANILA, Philippines — The Swab Cab initiative of Vice President Leni Robredo’s office returned to Imus, Cavite to conduct more COVID-19 tests in various barangays in the city.

According to the Office of the Vice President (OVP), the Swab Cab — a bus unit carrying equipment that can be set up to a full testing facility — went to the Barangays Malagasang II-A, Poblacion IV-B, Carsadang Bago II, and Anabu 1-C over the weekend in an effort to help the local government unit determine who are infected among its people in order for them to get treatment and eliminate the disease.

Aside from Imus, the OVP has brought Swab Cab in Malabon, Marikina, and Quezon City in the National Capital Region, as well as to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and Naga City in Camarines Sur. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

“The Swab Cab initiative of the office of Vice President Leni Robredo returned to Imus, Cavite this weekend, July 10 to 11, 2021, offering free antigen testing in identified areas to help in local government efforts against COVID-19,” the OVP said on Sunday.

The Swab Cab initiative of the Office of Vice President Leni Robredo. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

Just like in previous Swab Cab editions, residents who submit themselves to free COVID-19 tests were given care kits and rice, while those who tested positive were given relief packs for their families as well as hygiene kits.

“Aside from the free tests, residents who underwent antigen testing also received care kits and rice from OVP. In addition, those who tested positive were provided with relief packs and hygiene kits,” the OVP said.

The Swab Cab initiative of the office of Vice President Leni Robredo returns to Imus, Cavite this weekend, July 10 to 11, 2021, offering free antigen testing in identified areas to help in local government efforts against COVID-19. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

“The Swab Cab initiative in Imus was made possible by OVP’s partnership with the local government led by Mayor Emmanuel Maliksi; the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit; respective barangay officials and Barangay Health Emergency Response Teams; UBE Express; Air Intellipure; and volunteers,” it added.

The Swab Cab initiative was launched by OVP in April, back when Metro Manila and other areas within the National Capital Region bubble — including Cavite — were faced with a COVID-19 surge of high proportions.

The surge left staggering infection records, as daily new infections ranged from 10,000 to 15,000 while the active case count piled to a high of 203,000 — rendering a lot of hospitals inaccessible due to high occupancy rates.

The Swab Cab initiative of the office of Vice President Leni Robredo returns to Imus, Cavite. Photo by Jay Ganzon / OVP

OVP said that aside from Imus, the Swab Cab has been brought to Malabon, Marikina, and Quezon City in the National Capital Region; and to as well as to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan and Naga City in Camarines Sur to address rising infections in the area.

As of now, active COVID-19 cases still remain at the 49,000 mark — which is still not at the level before the latest surge happened.  Numbers from the Department of Health (DOH) showed that the active case count is now at 49,128, slightly lower than Sunday’s tally which was at 49,701.

Monday’s active cases represent 3.3 percent of the 1,478,061 total confirmed cases since the pandemic was recorded in the Philippines.

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JPV