Frontline personnel in Sual, Pangasinan undergoes PCR confirmatory test
By Liezle Basa-Inigo
About 237 frontline individuals were subjected to PCR confirmatory test, while another 603 individuals were tested through rapid slide test kits in Sual, Pangasinan.
Sual municipal administrator Atty. Phillip Adviento said the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) test was sponsored by the municipal government.
“Mas priority natin ang mga frontliners, dahil sila talaga ang may risks at sila ang expose sa kung sinong mga tao (The frontliners are our priority because they are at risk and they are the ones exposed to different people)," said Adviento.Meanwhile, returning residents under the "Balik Probinsya" program of the national government also underwent rapid testing. Following Department of Health (DOH) protocols, those who tested positive under the rapid testing shall be subject to PCR testing.
All specimens collected for confirmatory testing are forwarded to the COVID Laboratory of the Chinese General Hospital and Medical Center.Sual Mayor Dong Calugay stressed the importance of targeted mass testing in the management of COVID-19.
"Targeted mass testing facilitates speedy identification of cases, appropriate treatment for positive cases, and immediate isolation to prevent the spread of the disease," said Calugay. The LGU of Sual is now operating an infectious diseases isolation facility where positive cases that show no symptoms are being treated. According to Calugay, resources are being spent prudently to strengthen the health care and wellness infrastructure of the municipality that will ultimately benefit all Sualinians.