ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas ordered a rapid diagnostic test on all city hall officials and employees as part of the local government’s precautionary measures in combating the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
At least 500 employees at the city hall’s ground floor were the first batch to undergo rapid testing on Monday, July 27.
“Masugod kita halin sa dalom tapos pasaka,” Treñas said during the weekly flag-raising ceremony.
The testing, according to Treñas, is also meant to ensure the safety of individuals coming in contact with government employees who, in turn, talk and engage with a lot of people while on duty.
Employees who test positive will immediately be brought to the quarantine facility.
“Sa i-rapid test, indi kamo magpakulba. Ang importante nga at least ikaw ma-rule-out nga may COVID,” Treñas said.
Based on the July 26 data of the Department of Health, the city has a total of 111 confirmed COVID-19 cases. These were made of 59 local infections and 52 locally stranded individuals or repatriated overseas Filipino workers.
Treñas believes the battle against SARS–CoV–2, the virus which causes COVID-19 is far from over, saying there is still no vaccine for the viral illness.
He reminded city hall workers to continue wearing facemask, observing physical distancing and frequent handwashing.
“Palihug intindihon lang anay naton kay ang sitwasyon subong,” said the city’s chief executive.
COVID-19 is the infectious disease caused by the most recently discovered coronavirus. This new virus and disease were unknown before the outbreak began in Wuhan, China in December 2019.
The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.
These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell./PN
