ANGELES CITY – The Local Government here will start the COVID-19 mass testing on April 29, 2020 using the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved rapid testing kits.
This was announced by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on April 23 during a meeting with the city’s health officer, Dr. Lenario Santos, Rural Health Physician Dr. Verona Guevarra, Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) Officer-in-Charge, Dr. Froilan Santos, and his chief adviser, Director IC Calaguas.
Based on the guidelines of the Department of Health (DOH) on expanded testing coverage, individuals who are at risk such as: suspected cases, individual with relevant history of travel and exposure, health workers with possible exposure maybe tested. Lazatin has appropriated a total of P88 million for procurement of 30,000 rapid testing kits, procurement of four units of ventilators, cardiac monitors, additional personal protective equipment (PPE) and facemasks for RLMMC formerly Ospital Ning Angeles (ONA). RLMMC was designated by the City Government as its COVID 19 center. Lazatin also appropriated P2 million for the Philippine Red Cross to secure slots for Angeles City residents’ Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing. As per the guidelines released by the City Government of Angeles, patients will need to be assessed first in the triage area at the RLMMC to determine under which subgroup the patient belongs. The testing center shall refer to the sub-groups of at-risk individuals to determine who should be prioritized. Only FDA-approved antibody test kits will be used and only medical technologists / practitioners may prescribe and administer antibody-based tests. Releasing and interpretation of results will be assigned to doctors in charge for COVID-19 patients. --------- PREPARING FOR MASS TESTING. Employees of the Rafael Lazatin Memorial Medical Center (RLMMC) conducts experimental COVID-19 testing in preparation for the Angeles City's COVID-19 mass testing. Mayor Carmelo "Pogi" Lazatin, Jr. designated RLMMC as COVID-19 testing center. Lazatin also designated the Puso Center in City Hall as sub-testing center for City Government's frontliners. In line with that, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel prepares the logistical requirements for the mass testing.
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