NEWS ALERT: Manila’s mass testing takes inclusive approach, says Mayor Isko MorenoThe Manila City government’s free…
Posted by Manila Public Information Office on Wednesday, July 22, 2020
MANILA – An inclusive and universal approach is vital to win the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said Thursday.
Domagoso made this comment during the launch of Manila City’s second walk-in Covid-19 testing center at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center (GABMMC) in Tondo, as he took pride that the city is “being a good neighbor to others”.
“Ito ay dapat gawin universally. Wala nang kani-kaniya, kailangan magmalasakitan. Pag tayo nagbuti, napabayaan natin yung kapitbahay natin, pupunta sila sa Maynila tapos may dalang virus, simula na naman tayo (this has to be done universally. All of us should take care of each other. If we are able to contain the virus but left our neighbors alone, eventually, they will come to Manila and bring again the virus, and we’re back to zero),” Domagoso said.
He said the key to mitigating the spread of Covid-19 is early detection.
The city of Manila already opened two drive-thru testing centers in Lawton and at the Quirino Grandstand.
The first walk-in testing center was launched on Monday at the Ospital ng Sampaloc and the second one at the GABMMC.
These Covid-19 testing centers are free and are open for both Manilenyos and non-Manilenyos.
Using the Covid-19 serology testing machines purchased by the city government from American healthcare firm Abbott, blood samples are taken from patients and processed.
The serology machines have an accuracy of 99.6 percent for specificity and 100 percent for sensitivity and yields better results than the rapid test kits.
Meanwhile, Domagoso reiterated his call for all Manilenyos to continue following imposed health protocols and for parents to discipline their children, keep them safe inside their houses and not allow them to roam and play in the streets.