Market vendors, workers in Dagupan City to undergo random COVID-19 testing

DAGUPAN CITY –– The city government will undertake random risk-based testing for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) for vendors and other workers at the city public markets starting Wednesday, July 1.

Mayor Brian Lim said the public markets were identified for testing as these are the places most visited by their residents.

“The project would help safeguard the vendors and the customers,” he said.

An average of 2,500 people congregates at the city’s four public markets daily, including stall owners, vendors, suppliers, buyers, and delivery persons who come from other provinces and the National Capital Region.

Lim said around 300 randomly selected people would be tested every two weeks, including vendors in the meat, fish, vegetables, and fruits, and dry goods sections.

The sample size is based on the statistical formula where there is a plus-minus five-percent margin of error and a 95-percent confidence level, he said.

“With the random testing, we can immediately identify those who are positive for the coronavirus and isolate them so they will not infect others,” Lim said.

Dagupan has four public markets – Magsaysay, Makong, New Galvan, and Magsaysay fish market.

LZB