Sotto calls for wider COVID-19 mass testing as ECQ end nears

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 10) – Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III is pushing for the expansion of mass testing with areas currently under lockdown anticipating a transition to a more relaxed general community quarantine.

In a statement, the senator said mass testing conducted by the Health Department in all provinces must cover more people in order to give health officials a clearer picture of the extent of COVID-19’s transmission.

“Let us remember that even among the quarantined population, the threat that the virus had already invaded their communities and even homes without them being aware of it is also high,” Sotto said.

Sotto cited what happened in the Senate, where 20 employees tested positive for the coronavirus during a rapid testing conducted on staffers who went to work on Monday as the legislative chamber’s session resumed.

According to Sotto, the said employees complied with the government’s order to stay home, did not get exposed to anyone with COVID-19, and did not show nor feel any symptoms of the highly contagious disease.

“Kung sila na nasa bahay lang at sumunod sa lahat ng health protocols ay nag-positive sa virus, siguradong more malala ang pwedeng mangyari kung ma-lift na ang enhanced community quarantine at ang lahat ay papayagan ng lumabas ng kanilang mga bahay, ”Said Sotto.

[Translation: If they tested positive for the virus despite staying at home and following all health protocols, what might happen should the enhanced community quarantine be lifted and everyone is allowed to go outside their houses will definitely be worse.]

The results of expanded mass testing coverage will also warn government leaders against prematurely lifting the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila, the local epicenter of the pandemic, and other high-risk areas, the senator added.

“The premature lifting of the strict quarantine regulation could lead to a worse second COVID-19 wave,” Sotto said.

Metro Manila and other high-risk areas remain under enhanced community quarantine until May 15. All other provinces are under the more relaxed general community quarantine until mid-May.

Several Metro Manila mayors previously said they lean towards extending the lockdown in their areas for 15 days more amid the steady increase in the number of coronavirus cases.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City government has recommended a transition period to the general community quarantine should the enhanced quarantine period end in mid-May.

This will boost the city’s economy and protect the health of local residents and workers while preventing the coronavirus from spreading, according to Mayor Joy Belmonte.

However, all 17 mayors of Metro Manila agreed yesterday to defer the decision on whether to lift or extend the lockdown in the capital region to the Inter-Agency Task Force.

A total of 10,794 have been infected with COVID-19 in the Philippines. 719 have died from the illness, while 1,924 have recovered.