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Taguig rolls out drive-thru and barangay-based testing for COVID-19

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<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/04/22/test.jpg"/><figcaption>Barangay-based testing for COVID-19. Photo from I love Taguig Facebook page</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA - The local government of Taguig opened on Wednesday two drive thru testing areas for residents who may have symptoms of COVID-19.&quot;We&#x27;re excited to roll out the plan when it comes to mass testing. Yung drive thru malaking maitutulong sa mga kababayang may access sa sasakyan,&quot; said Mayor Lino Cayetano on ANC.<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SmOMZ8bEJQI?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>Cayetano said residents need to do self-assessment online where their answers will be evaluated by a doctor and the results will be sent back to them.&quot;You will get a reply and a number when you drive thru our tents. Yung numero ipapakita mo and you will be tested,&quot; he said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/21/20/drive-thru-covid-19-testing-sa-taguig-sisimulan-sa-abril-22">&#x27;Drive-thru&#x27; COVID-19 testing sa Taguig sisimulan sa Abril 22</a></li></ul>Drive-thru testing centers are located in Taguig Lakeshore in Barangay Lower Bicutan and in Bonifacio Global City.&quot;Part of the smart system framework those who need to be tested will be tested and we want to test as many people as possible,&quot; he said.Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said Taguig&#x27;s drive-thru COVID-19 testing &quot;comes as a complete package.&quot;&quot;It&#x27;s going to be a role model if resources will be sufficient and if the protocols will be followed and if they are using the gold standard testing. This has to come in a complete package and not just a drive-through mechanism,&quot; Vergeire said. The local government unit has already tested over a thousand residents, said Cayetano. &quot;But to expand it doon sa phase 2, we are bringing it down to the barangay. Para ma-test ang lahat ng ating kababayan kailangan yung testing ibaba na sa health centers,&quot; he said.He said 5 health centers in the city will also begin testing residents. &quot;Kasunod nito meron tayong dalawang drive thru sites kung saan merong sariling sasakyang pwedeng dumaan at magpa-test,&quot; he said.He added that Taguig is following the best practices framework where 5,000 to 10,000 people are tested for every 1 million population.&quot;Sa Taguig, were around 800,000 so were ready to test 10,000 people. Pag wala kayong sakit wag kayong magpa-test pero meron tayong mekanismo where you can do self-assessment,&quot; said the mayor.COVID testing fees will be shouldered by the city government, he said. &quot;Walang babayaran. We passed a P2.3-B supplemental budget, we will pay for all tests for Taguigeños who needs to be tested,&quot; he said.Taguig currently has 197 positive and 1,125 suspected COVID-19 cases. It also prepared 5 quarantine facilities that can accommodate 300 patients.Meanwhile, Cayetano said he is open to a total lockdown, if necessary, to keep people safe. &quot;I believe this will be over in a matter of a few months pero kung &#x27;di tayo disiplinado, if we don&#x27;t work together, if we don&#x27;t trust each other walang mangyayari,&quot; he said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/04/20/20/cops-trespass-pacific-plaza-towers-shout-accost-residents-lockdown-coronavirus">Cops allegedly trespass into Taguig condo, accost residents over COVID-19 lockdown violations</a></li></ul>

The local government of Taguig opened on Wednesday two drive thru testing areas for residents who may have symptoms of COVID-19.

The local government of Taguig opened on Wednesday two drive thru testing areas for residents who may have symptoms of COVID-19.