Angeles City—In its continuing efforts to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, the Angeles city government has conducted a total of 2,383 free reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests and more than 10,000 rapid tests.
“In the first days of the pandemic, Mayor Carmelo ‘Pogi’ Lazatin Jr. has ordered COVID-19 mass testing using the Food and Drug Administration-approved rapid testing kits,” Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) Officer in Charge Dr. Froilan Canlas said.
The city mayor has appropriated P88 million for swab tests, and procured 30,000 rapid testing kits, four units of ventilators, cardiac monitors, additional personal protective equipment, and facemasks for RLMMC, formerly Ospital Ning Angeles.
RLMMC was designated by the city government as its COVID 19 center.
Based on the guidelines of the Department of Health on expanded testing coverage, individuals who are at risk and need to be tested include: suspected cases, individuals with relevant history of travel and exposure, health workers, individuals 60 years old or older, or those with existing illnesses such as hypertension or diabetes, which makes them immunocompromised.
“A person found to have close contact with a COVID-19 patient will be swabbed on the fifth to seventh day of exposure when he manifests cough, flu, fever, and loss of taste and smell,” City Health Officer Dr. Verona Guevarra explained.
“If the person displays no symptoms after five to seven days of being exposed to the COVID-19 patient, he will still undergo rapid testing,” she added.
Guevarra added upon the order of Lazatin, rapid testing will be done to neighbors of a COVID-19 patient- houses located five to the left and right, as well as three houses in front.
“Ginagawa natin ito upang maseguro ang kapakanan, kalusugan, at kaligtasan ng bawat Angelenos, at para maiwasan ang tuluyan pang pagkalat ng virus sa lungsod,” Lazatin said.