Marikina City Mayor Marcelino Teodoro has earlier confirmed seven new positive cases of COVID-19 in the area who are all admitted to hospitals outside the city.
To avert the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the local government has been beefing up preventive measures to fight the disease.
The Marikina LGU will establish a laboratory testing center with the help of a private biotechnology company for early detection of those who have the virus and to prevent the spread of it.
“Hinihintay natin ngayon ‘yung field validation na ginagawa para doon sa test kit na dinevelop ng (We are waiting for the field validation of the test kits developed by the) UP-National Institute of Health. Sa (In) Marikina, by Monday or Tuesday may dalawampu’t lima na ipi-field validate natin. Meron tayong ite-test na mga ilang persons under monitoring dito (we will have 25 to be field validated. We have persons under monitoring to be tested),” Teodoro said.
Teodoro added it will be free for all Marikina residents and is likely to open next week. He shared that they have 3,000 test kits in reserve.
Decontamination tents will also be placed in public establishments that offer essential services like grocery and drug stores.
Meanwhile, private vehicles and the LGU shuttles offering free rides to healthcare workers are the only vehicles seen on the road, following the declaration of enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.
Since transportation is suspended, the city government will provide free rides to those who need to go to market or work.
The free shuttle has seven routes including Barangka Flyover, Panorama St. Station, Camacho Homeowner, Santan St., Caltex Gas Route, and Marikina Heights.
Authorities are still implementing strict security in a checkpoint at the junction of Marikina and Antipolo, Rizal.
The city government has been closely coordinating with barangays to ensure practical enforcement of social distancing and to keep residents inside their homes. – Report from Sandra Samala
