The Bases Conversion Development Authority, together with the Philippine Red Cross, will conduct a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction test for 3,000 residents of Baguio, La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay.
Contact tracing czar and Mayor Benjamin Magalong on Tuesday said the testing from Sept. 17 to 19 will be free through the help of Covid-19 deputy chief implementer and testing czar Sec. Vince Dizon.
“This is a follow-up of the testing done on Aug. 27 to 28 to help Baguio. He (Dizon) said he will send the BCDA swab testing group with the Red Cross for the three days testing,” Magalong said.
Magalong said the 3,000 tests were allotted for Baguio but he asked that the 1,000 be used for the LISTT residents.
The testing will be done in Baguio on Sept. 17 and 19 while Sept. 18 will be in Benguet.
He said the swab samples will be brought to Clark for processing.
Magalong said the target for the three days schedule will come from the groceries, market, and transportation sectors and those regularly exposed to and have interaction with different types of people.
“We will get samples from them,” he said.
The mayor said the purpose of the test is to determine the positivity rate and see which sector needs more attention.
Aside from the swab testing assistance the city gets from various sources, the city remains to have an inventory of 20,000 which can last for about three more months.
Two weeks ago, BCDA and PRC were able to test 824 in Baguio with 14 turning out positive of Covid-19 or a posting positivity rate of 1.7 percent. – PNA
April 20, 2024
