Quezon City targets 4,000 COVID-19 tests by end of April

Quezon City aims to conduct 4,000 COVID-19 tests by the end of April to identify, isolate, and manage new cases.

The city began its community-based testing on April 13, a pilot program that initially involved 150 suspected individuals from 22 barangays.

As of April 14, 167 people have been tested across various locations, including Quezon Memorial Circle, Novaliches District Hospital, and Quezon City General Hospital, with some tests conducted house-to-house.

The testing process involves blood and swab sample collection, and participants are quarantined while awaiting results, which are expected from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in 4 to 5 days.

Dr. Rolando Cruz, head of Quezon City's Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, stated that the goal is to flatten the curve by finding and managing cases, with entire families quarantined if a suspected case arises.

Quezon City, the most densely populated area in Metro Manila, has recorded 942 COVID-19 cases, 61 deaths, and 64 recoveries as of April 13.