By MB Online
The local government of Marikina City has conducted mass testing for coronavirus disease 2019 on the city's tricycle drivers, who have resumed their operations.
The Marikina City coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Testing Center is now “up and running,” Mayor Marcelino Teodoro told reporters on Friday, April 17, 2020. (Photos courtesy of Marikina LGU / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
"'Yung mga driver natin—hindi naman mandatory at ‘di rin naman kondisyon para makabiyahe—sila ay sina-subject natin, as a matter of precaution, sa rapid testing," Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro said on Tuesday in a report from GMA News.
As of Monday, more than 1,000 tricycle drivers were already tested and three of them have tested positive for COVID-19. The rapid testing in the city is until Friday, Teodoro said.
"Kahapon 1,084 ang na-test natin. Doon sa 1,084, may tatlong nag-positive at noong nag-positive sila, nag-quarantine agad sila at subject sila ngayon sa confirmatory tests," the city mayor said.
"Kung papatunayan na positive sila ngayong araw, eh sisimulan na 'yung medical treatment na kailangang ibigay sa kanila. Kailangan ma-isolate para maiwasan 'yung local transmission," Teodoro added.
According to Teodoro, contact tracing would be done to identify who had direct contact with those who tested positive.
Other than tricycle drivers, workers from markets and groceries, and employees from the shoe businesses will also undergo the COVID-19 test, Teodoro said.
Workers in the city, especially those who have tested positive with the disease will continue to receive assistance, the city mayor added.
The tricycle and pedicab drivers and its operator will observe the safety precautionary measures such as social distancing amid the resumption of their operations, the local government said in a report from GMA News.