The Muntinlupa City government is testing people for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) amid a rise in the number of new cases.
At the Museo ng Muntinlupa grounds, people are lining up to undergo rapid SARS-CoV-2 antigen testing.
If they test positive, they will undergo the confirmatory reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which the Department of Health considers as the gold standard in determining if a person is positive for COVID-19.
In addition, the city government activated its “Rolling Bakuna” or mobile vaccination bus at the Muntinlupa Sports Complex in Bgy. Tunasan to inoculate people.
Muntinlupa’s total number of active COVID-19 cases rose to 732 on Jan. 6, up by 273 cases, or an increase of 59 percent, from 459 tallied on Jan. 5. Data from the Muntinlupa City Health Office (CHO) showed that on Jan. 6, Muntinlupa added 288 new cases.
At the city-run Ospital ng Muntinlupa (OsMun), the bed capacity is now 110 percent while the COVID-19 ward is now 90 percent occupied as of Jan. 6, according to information from hospital director Dr. Edwin Dimatatac.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) field office in Muntinlupa announced on Jan. 6 that one employee tested positive through the COVID-19 antigen test. The employee will undergo RT-PCR test.
As a result, the field office decided to implement a work from home arrangement from Jan. 6 to 12.
“Despite this arrangement, the field office will continue to be fully operational,” DILG-Muntinlupa said.
The Muntinlupa City government reminded people to strictly follow minimum public health standards including the wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and frequent handwashing.
The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) placed the National Capital Region (NCR) under Alert Level 3 from Jan. 3 to 15 due to the threat of the Omicron variant.
Metro Manila mayors including Muntinlupa Mayor Jaime Fresnedi signed Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Resolution 22-01 on Jan. 3 urging local government units (LGUs) in Metro Manila to pass ordinance to restrict the movements of unvaccinated individuals.
The Muntinlupa City government is requiring vaccination cards or negative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results from people who want to visit city government offices.
Muntinlupa Administrator Engr. Allan Cachuela issued a memorandum ordering security personnel at Muntinlupa City hall and other local government offices to require visitors to show their vaccination cards or negative RT-PCR test.
“Please be advised that everyone, including elected officials and department heads, entering the City Government of Muntinlupa (CGM) facilities must be required to present their Vaccination ID with proof that they are fully vaccinated (1st and 2nd dose) or they can present an RT–PCR test result done within two (2) weeks,” according to the memo. The cost of the RT-PCR test will be at the visitor’s own expense.