The city government of Baguio has resumed the conduct of an aggressive community testing from Jan. 13 to 15, the first this year, as the threat of the highly transmissible Covid-19 Omicron variant proved to be alarming.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said the Bases Conversion and Development Authority provided the 3,000 RT-PCR kits that were used during the three-day mass testing, which is part of the city’s strategies to control the spread of the Covid-19 by detecting and isolating those who test positive of the virus that causes the infection.
Among others, those targeted for the mass testing are government and bank employees, vendors, public utility vehicle drivers, delivery personnel, construction workers, and food handlers.
Magalong said results of the mass testing will guide the city government on which sector it will focus on in controlling the transmission of the Covid-19.
The BCDA also allotted 2,000 test kits for residents of La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay, all in Benguet.
With the threat of the more transmissible Omicron variant, Magalong sought public cooperation in the efforts to control the spread of the Covid-19.
He asked the public to reschedule activities that would gather crowds. In the barangays, he asked that officials postpone the holding of thanksgiving events, saying these are avenues for transmission.
“The threat of the Omicron is a big challenge because it is highly transmissible. Let us not take it lightly even if the symptoms are less severe,” Magalong said.
“With everyone’s cooperation, we hope we could see a downtrend in cases by mid-February.”
Magalong also asked the public to ditch the use of cloth masks, as he claimed that medical grade face masks adds protection.
He said medical grade face masks have been made available at the public market so the public may have more access to them, instead of patronizing the cloth masks.
Even the public transport sector was also asked to ensure passengers are wearing medical grade face masks. – Jane B. Cadalig
April 23, 2024
