Over 500 rail workers contract Covid-19

MANILA – A total of 522 rail workers of the four rail services in the National Capital Region have so far tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), according to the latest data from the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

In an advisory on Wednesday, the DOTr said 377 out of 1,185 workers of the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) have been tested, with 117 yielding positive results.

In the Light Rail Transit Line 2, it said 571 out of its 1,277 workers have been tested, with 143 returning positive for Covid-19.

In the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) it said 860 out of its 3,284 workers have been tested, with 131 found to be infected.

In the Philippine National Railways (PNR), it said 1,013 out of its 1,729 workers have so far undergone testing, with 131 returning positive with Covid-19.

The test results were recorded on Tuesday.

Due to the limited number of personnel, operations of the PNR are currently suspended while the rest are operating on a limited capacity.

To date, the LRT-1 is dispatching 17 trains, LRT-2 has five trains while the MRT-3 has 14 trains.

On Monday, the DOTr reported a total of 478 confirmed infections from the four rail services.

Earlier, DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade ordered the mandatory testing of all rail workers for Covid-19, with those who test positive, still awaiting test results, identified as close contacts of confirmed cases, and employees showing Covid-19 symptoms to be isolated and quarantined for the safety of both personnel and passengers.