Baguio City starts rapid testing for COVID-19 PUIs

Baguio City has begun rapid testing for individuals under investigation (PUIs) for COVID-19, prioritizing health workers and those in home quarantine.

The city procured approximately 400 donated rapid test kits to cover all PUIs currently isolating at home.

Mayor Benjamin Magalong authorized the rapid testing initiative to expedite the identification, treatment, isolation, and contact tracing of potential COVID-19 cases.

The 23 PUIs and health workers who underwent rapid testing on April 4 tested negative for COVID-19.

The city is awaiting results for 36 other individuals whose swab samples were taken on April 6.

PUIs with mild symptoms who test positive via rapid tests will undergo confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests, while those with negative results will complete their 14-day quarantine.

As of April 6, Baguio City had 390 PUIs under home isolation.