QC starts community COVID-19 testing with 150 residents

The Quezon City government began community-based COVID-19 testing on April 13, with 150 residents initially tested at the Quezon Memorial Circle.

These individuals were identified by the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) and barangays as suspected COVID-19 cases with symptoms.

Samples are being sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) for testing, with results expected within three to five days.

The Philippine Red Cross will provide an additional 1,500 testing kits, and the city is procuring 10,000 more swab and transport media kits.

Partnerships with St. Luke's Medical Center and the Lung Center of the Philippines are being finalized to expedite test results.

Positive cases will be referred to the city's HOPE facilities, while negative cases will be required to undergo a 14-day self-quarantine.

Swab booths will be utilized during testing to minimize health workers' exposure and PPE usage.