Manila to test almost 1,000 Sampaloc residents for coronavirus during 'hard lockdown'

Authorities on Friday will start screening nearly 1,000 residents in Sampaloc, Manila for the novel coronavirus during the 48-hour "hard lockdown" of the district, a hospital official said. 

The testing will prioritize barangay officials and the household contacts of COVID-19 patients, said Ospital ng Sampaloc Director Aileen Lacsamana. 

Some 432 participants from 5 villages will be tested at the Geronimo Elementary School on Friday, followed by about 500 more participants from 5 barangays on Saturday, Lacsamana told DZMM. 

Authorities will use rapid antibody test kits that can yield results in 10 to 15 minutes. Those who will test positive will undergo a confirmatory screening and authorities will assess if they need to be brought to a quarantine site in Delpan, she said. 

Sampaloc was placed under lockdown from 8 p.m. Thursday to 8 p.m. Saturday to give way to "disease surveillance verification or testing and rapid risk assessment in relation to COVID-19," Manila Mayor Isko Moreno earlier said. 

During this period, quarantine passes will be canceled and all residents of Sampaloc "are prohibited from going out of their houses," except for medical workers, emergency frontliners, and accredited journalists, he said. 

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DZMM, April 24, 2020