DAVAO CITY — The Department of Health has started random testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on Friday but they call it “Intensified Case Finding”, said Davao City mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
As of Friday morning, Duterte-Carpio revealed health authorities have identified areas where random testing will be conducted and those identified are the areas where there are positive cases.
In her radio broadcast via Davao City Disaster Radio, Duterte-Carpio said they started an intensified case finding in the communities which was undertaken along Leon Garcia street since they have a positive case and the DOH tested the surounding areas through random selection.
The DOH will continue to conduct random testing in Bankerohan, Buhangin and between Barangays 21C and 23C and its immediate nieghbors.
Should the team conducting random tests find one is positive, she said, “The person will immediately be taken away from the area as well as trace the people where such case was exposed”.
The health authorities will evaluate the case and will give their recommendation if the area will be locked.
Though many suggests for a rapid test kit but she revealed “No doctor will subscribe to the idea of having rapid test kit.” The Department of Health has issued a circular when and how to use the rapid test kit and the guidelines does not warrant its use for massive testing, and as it is now, they do not recommend it for Davao City.
Following the pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte placing Davao City, Davao del Norte and Davao de Oro under an Enhanced Community Quarantine, the Davao chief executive also affirmed as saying that the ECQ will also be extended to May 15 in this city.
Because of this, Duterte-Carpio implemented a street and house lockdown to ensure that those who have cases of coronavirus will not go out while health authorities monitor them back home.
Davao City people can go out anytime, she said, but those who are going out must ensure that the place where they want to be will accept them because many LGU’s outside Davao will not accept Davao residents, and that would mean getting stranded at the borders if they insist plying their route.
“Make sure that when you go out of Davao, the city or municipality where you will go, will accept you but we can assist you to get out but make sure you will be accepted,” she added.
Some LGUs implement a mandatory 14-day quarantine for every incoming individual in their place.-Editha Z. Caduaya
