The Manila City government will stop its free coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) serology testing operations in an effort to boost its free swab testing efforts.
A drive-thru COVID-19 swab testing facility was launched at the Quirino Grandstand on Monday. It has a capacity of 100 patients per day.
Swab testing can now also be availed at the Delpan Quarantine Facility. This is to augment the city’s two molecular laboratories at Sta. Ana Hospital.
However, those who wish to get tested must set an appointment first by contacting the Manila Emergency Operation Center at the following numbers: 09052423327, 09983226367, 09636023177, 09555875976
The city’s five serology testing machines that were previously used to process blood samples from the city’s drive-thru, walk-in, and mobile serology testing facilities, will now be used to detect other illnesses such as cancer, hepatitis, thyroid diseases, among other infectious diseases.
These are installed at five of the city’s district hospitals namely Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Justice Jose Abad Santos General Hospital, Ospital ng Maynila Medical Center, Ospital ng Tondo, and Ospital ng Sampaloc.
Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso said they decided to “upgrade” their serology testing to the “gold standard” reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing since they are now capable of swab testing more people.
Moreno assured that the city government will continue to offer its services for free to anyone, regardless if they are a Manila resident or not, in line with their “inclusive” approach to fighting the pandemic.
