Marikina holds rapid Covid-19 tests at evacuation centers

AN EVACUEE has tested for the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) as the Marikina City government held rapid testing for residents affected by the devastation of Typhoon Ulysses at its evacuation centers.

Mayor Marcelino "Marcy" Teodoro on Thursday confirmed that a 68-year-old man staying at the Barangay Barangka Elementary School evacuation center has tested positive for Covid-19 through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). He is asymptomatic.

"May na detect kami na isang positive case sa Barangka Elementary School, 68 years old siya at may comorbidities kaya naging maagap tayo upang hindi lang siya ma-isolate kundi higit sa lahat matanggap niya yung medical supportive treatment para gumaling siya agad," Teodoro said.

He said a contact tracing team of the city immediately identified 13 evacuees that the 68-year-old man had interaction with. "Tinest din natin ang kanyang limang family members, at mabuti naman na ang lumabas sa PCR testing ay negative lahat; iyong asawa niya na 62 years old at ang tatlong anak niya," Teodoro said.

He said the 68-year-old man is now quarantined at the Marikina Hotel for 14 days and is receiving medical supportive treatment. 

Teodoro said the strategy they are employing is prioritizing immuno-compromised evacuees, other vulnerable individuals such as the elderly and those with Covid-like symptoms. “Gagawin natin itong [rapid testing] sa lahat ng evacuation center natin simultaneously at on a regular basis,” he said.

This, he said, is due to the limited number of test kits they have. "The city government has now ordered for additional rapid test kits,” he added.

Teodoro said the first process is getting the health declaration forms of evacuees and getting their body temperatures. He said there are currently over 15,000 individuals staying at the city’s evacuation sites.

Teodoro said there are now 190 contact tracers at evacuation centers in the city. The local government has also put up rapid testing centers at each evacuation site. As of November 18, Marikina has 183 active cases of Covid-19. (By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan)