(SPOT.ph) Department of Health undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire revealed on July 9 that the coronavirus infection "is coming from everywhere." This is four months into quarantine in Metro Manila, where COVID-19 positive cases continue to increase. In an effort to stop the virus from spreading, the local government of Manila launched their own drive-thru COVID-19 testing center in front of the Andres Bonifacio Monument today, July 15. The Manila Health Department is conducting the testing from Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"We will utilize the recently-purchased machines. These have accuracy of 99.6% for specificity and 100% for sensitivity. This is part of our continuing massive testing, including every driving Manileño who will pass by Lawton," Mayor Isko Moreno said in a statement released by the Manila Public Information Office. Both residents and non-residents of Manila City can go to the drive-thru testing center and get themselves tested for free. He also clarified during the event launch, that both motorized and non-motorized vehicles with at least two wheels can pass by the site.
The local government unit, so far, has four newly bought serology testing machines from Abbott Core Laboratory. According to the mayor, Manila is the first city to procure such equipment.
"Makakapag-test ang mga ito ng 50 samples per hour. Uunahin natin ang lahat ng doctor, nurse, mga healthcare workers, starting with Ospital ng Maynila, para mapanatag sila," the mayor added. The four machines can process a total of 89,600 tests in one month.
Testing sites are also available at Gat. Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, Ospital ng Maynila, and health center in local barangays of Manila.
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