Isko: Wag mabagabag pag positive sa rapid test

KAPAG nag-positive sa ‘rapid test,’ huwag mabagabag, pero mag-ingat.’

This was the advice given by Manila Mayor Isko Moreno as the local government takes on a more aggressive approach to test the city residents for COVID-19, in the hope of also boosting its capability to detect, isolate and treat.

“Don’t worry if nag-positive sa rapid test.  Magpahinga, mag-quarantine and swab test.  Dito natin mapapasikip ang mundo ng COVID-19.  Ang rapid testing ay hindi garantiya na tayo ay positive or negative. Pag positive, ‘wag mag-alala dahil kailangan pang i-submit ito sa confirmatory test.  Ito  ‘yung swab test,” Moreno explained.

“Kaya patuloy nating pinalalawak ang quarantine facilities para habang naghihintay ng swab result ang nag-positive sa rapid, sila ay nasa maayos na lugar at mailalayo sa kapahamakan. Pag confirmed positive through PCR (polymerase chain reaction) machine, ilalagak ang paseyente sa health facilities kung saan pinalalawak ang kakayanan ng mga ito, gaya ng MIDCC (Manila Infectious Disease Control Center ) at iba pang ospital na pag-aari ng Maynila,” he added. The MIDCC is located inside the Sta. Ana Hospital.

Moreno said the city is stepping up its testing ability and building of quarantines so that if the number of COVID-19 cases increase, the city will be ready to accommodate them.

“Pag lumobo, dalawa lang ang conclusion… dahil sa social behaviour ng mga tao or malakas ang testing sa Maynila,” he said.

Moreno said the city targets to have a 400-bed capacity for COVID cases, using certain sports complexes and public elementary and high schools.  First to have been converted into a quarantine was the Del Pan Evacuation Center, followed by the Araullo High School and Tondo High School, among others.

Meanwhile, Moreno said the Ospital ng Tondo has reopened. It was closed from May 11 to 24 after a number of its healthcare workers got infected.