It may take longer before Marikina City can start with its own COVID-19 testing.
Although the molecular laboratory of the city has long been prepared, the Marikina LGU received the final recommendation that its facility failed to pass the inspection made by the Department of Health (DOH) on Monday.
It stated that the testing lab should be in a separate location to minimize cross-infection among staff and community members. It is currently located at the sixth floor of the Marikina Health Office that could be accessed by an exclusive elevator.
Marikina Mayor Marcy Teodoro said the need to find and construct another structure would delay the much-needed additional testing center for patients suspected with COVID-19.
“Crisis ngayon e (There’s a crisis now), public health emergency… Kailangan may urgency ito e. Every minute may namamatay, every minute may nahahawa. Kung matest mo positive, ed di magamot mo agad o kaya ma-isolate mo siya agad (It requires urgency. People die and get infected every minute. If tested positive, they could have been treated immediately or isolated),” Teodoro said.
The DOH clarified it would continue to help the city in creating a facility that is appropriate for COVID-19 testing.
DOH Sec. Francisco Duque III said the DOH suggests the laboratory of Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center to be used. He added they can set-up another laboratory in another location through the help of RITM which can be a modular or prefabricated infrastructure.
Meanwhile, the city mayor said they are willing to offer DOH the testing machine kits they have purchased if they cannot immediately find a new location. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
