COVID surge strains Manila healthcare workers, delays RT-PCR results

The release of RT-PCR results and the COVID-19 vaccination program in Manila are experiencing delays due to a significant number of healthcare workers testing positive for the virus.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno explained that personnel, including doctors, nurses, and laboratory staff, have been infected or reinfected with COVID-19.

Due to the surge in cases and the infection of healthcare workers, doctors and nurses have been reassigned from vaccination sites to hospitals to ensure continuity of services.

Swab test results are now expected to take up to 72 hours, an increase from the usual 24 hours, because personnel at the city molecular laboratory have fallen ill.

Among those infected are 14 personnel from the Sta. Ana Hospital molecular laboratory.

Despite the slowdown, Mayor Moreno assured the public that inoculation and free swab tests will continue.