FILE PHOTO: REUTERS/Sergio Perez
BACOLOD CITY––Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has given the go-signal for the rapid antigen testing in Negros Occidental to speed up contact tracing efforts and stop the spread of COVID-19.
Provincial consultant Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said Wednesday, Oct. 6, that they aimed to begin the rapid antigen tests in the province this weekend.
Negros Occidental had 4,214 active COVID-19 cases, the Provincial Incident Management Team reported.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson issued on Wednesday the guidelines for the rollout and use of the rapid antigen testing kits for expanded contact tracing and early detection measures. The rollout begins Saturday, Oct. 9, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said.
Individuals who test positive for COVID-19 rapid antigen tests will be isolated.
The cities and municipalities to be covered initially under the rollout are La Carlota City, Talisay City, Pulupandan, Binalbagan, Toboso, San Enrique, Salvador Benedicto, Himamaylan City, Kabankalan City, and Silay City, Lacson said.
The COVID-19 average daily attack rate for the past seven days of these areas was the basis for their prioritization in the testing,