15 MRT-3 workers positive with Covid-19; more to undergo testing

In a statement, the MRT-3 management said the 15 workers were part of Sumitomo-MHI-TESP (Sumitomo), the MRT-3’s maintenance provider,. (File photo: DOTr MRT-3/Facebook)

MANILA — The Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) management on Thursday reported that 15 of the workers at its depot in North Avenue, EDSA have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a statement, the MRT-3 management said the 15 workers were part of Sumitomo-MHI-TESP (Sumitomo), the MRT-3’s maintenance provider,. As a precautionary measure, all personnel of both MRT-3 and Sumitomo at the North Avenue Depot will undergo rapid testing to be conducted by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG).

“Those who will test positive in the rapid anti-body testing will be required to undergo RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) confirmatory testing and to go on self-quarantine while waiting for the results of the confirmatory test,” it said.

Michael Capati, director for operations of the MRT-3, said that aside from testing all employees that had possible contact with those infected, the MRT-3 management has been conducting disinfection of the MRT-3 depot, its stations, and trains.

“We will continue to implement these and other measures to contain the spread of the virus in our workplace, stations, and trains,” Capati said.

After the most recent disinfection of the depot on Monday, he said the depot will undergo another disinfection.

Moreover, the MRT-3 said that while there is “very limited” interaction between depot and stations personnel, additional health and safety protocols will be implemented to further limit their interaction.

“We have the best interest of our passengers and employees at heart. We want to immediately address the situation to prevent more people from contracting the disease,” Capati said.

Meanwhile, netizens expressed their apprehension on the continued operation of the MRT-3 following the news, with some asking for temporary suspension of the rail service.

In a post on the MRT-3 Facebook page, a certain “Ahrwhil Lacaba” commented that the operations of MRT-3 should be suspended temporarily to prevent further spread of Covid-19.

“Dapat i-suspend na muna operation ng MRT habang konti pa lang infected. Huwag na sana hayaan magkahawaan (They should suspend the operation of the MRT while there still a small number of those infected. They should not let it spread further),” Lacaba said.

The MRT-3, Sumitomo last Thursday (June 11) reported that one of its depot personnel underwent an RT-PCR test and later was confirmed positive on Sunday, noting that the person last reported at the MRT-3 depot on June 8.

On the same day, it said contact-tracing was conducted and found that 32 depot personnel had possible contact and all underwent testing the following day.

Following the test, 14 were found to have contracted the respiratory disease.

“Contact tracing is ongoing for the 14 Covid-19 positive depot personnel. Identified contacts have been advised to undergo self-quarantine and RT-PCR testing before going back to work at the MRT-3 depot,” the MRT-3 said.

It added that other measures were being conducted in adherence to guidelines set by the Department of Health such as screening for symptoms in every entrance of MRT-3 facilities, mandatory wearing of face masks, alternative work arrangements, regular disinfection of facilities, installation of sanitation stations, hygiene promotion, and physical distancing at the workplace.