The Davao City government has offered Dabawenyos experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) the choices to avail of the free and voluntary reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test.
Mayor Inday Sara Duterte said that those who are experiencing Covid-19 symptoms such as cough, cold, fever, sore throat, and diarrhea may have themselves tested at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), the Tomas Claudio Health Center and Davao One World Diagnostic Center.
They also have an option to request the City Health Office medical personnel to conduct swab testing at their homes, in case they are hesitant for fear of being exposed to the virus by going to the laboratories.
“Duna tay nakuha nga mga reports nga some people are hesitant nga moadto sa SPMC, moadto sa health center, for whatever reason nga wala ta kahibalo. So kita ang mag adjust sa mga sitwasyon nga ingon ana (We have received reports that some people are hesitant to go to SPMC, the health center for whatever reason – we do not know. So we will be the one to adjust for these situations),” she said on Monday during a live broadcast at the city government-owned Davao City Disaster Radio.
Mayor Sara said that this is a step towards strengthening the city’s case-finding efforts to locate more positive Covid-19 cases and to contain the coronavirus transmission.
“Paniguraduhon nato kung asa ang infection, para kahibalo paunsa sab nato pugngan ang ang pagspread sa infection (We should know where the infection is so we also know how to prevent the spread of the infection),” the mayor said.
Those who want to get tested may coordinate through the Davao City Operations Center: for calls, (0917) 508 6548 and (0919) 071 1111 and for texts, (0906) 367 4671 and (0939) 340 5675. They may also contact all City Government of Davao online platforms such as the Davao City Reports and the Davao City Disaster Radio Facebook page.
Also, the City government has started the free and voluntary RT-PCR testing for arriving air travelers starting on June 29. CIO
