Manila's mobile clinics go to barangays for free COVID-19 testing

The Manila city government on Monday launched its mobile serology testing clinics for mass testing for COVID-19.

Two mobile trucks will go to barangays with a high number of COVID-19 cases, according to a report on Tuesday by Jonathan Andal on GMA News' Unang Balita.

On Tuesday, one mobile clinic was stationed in Barangay 20, Parola Compound where there were 16 active COVID-19 cases.

TINGNAN: Isa sa dalawang Mobile Serology Testing ng lokal na pamahalaan ng Maynila, nasa Barangay 20 o kilala bilang Parola Compound.

Araw-araw ay mag-iikot ang dalawang truck sa mga iba't ibang barangay sa Maynila para maisalang sa COVID-19 test ang mga residente. @dzbb pic.twitter.com/F33LCgW3DA

— Isa Avendaño-Umali (@Isa_Umali) July 27, 2020

The other mobile clinic was deployed to Barangay 401 where 17 active COVID-19 cases have been recorded.

On Wednesday, the mobile clinics will go to Barangays 50 and 189.

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said if a mobile clinic goes to a particular barangay, that just means there is a high number of COVID-19 cases in the area.

The COVID-19 test is free and is done via blood extraction.

Each mobile clinic can conduct 100 tests per day.

The results will first be sent via SMS message to the resident, then the hard copy will be delivered to his/her house.

Operations of the mobile clinics start at 8 a.m.

Authorities said the free COVID-19 tests to be conducted by the mobile clinics will only be for those who have been exposed to COVID-19 patients based on contact tracing done by the barangay.

The city government also offers free COVID-19 testing at its drive-thru facilities at the Andres Bonifacio Shrine (Kartilya) near the city hall and at Quirino Grandstand, and at its walk-in facility at the Ospital ng Sampaloc. —KG, GMA News