Deep into the pandemic, curbing the spread of COVID-19 still remains a challenge as the number of positive cases continue to rise. The City of Manila, in a major move to ramp up its testing capacity, has just launched its free drive-thru COVID-19 testing center on Wednesday, July 15.
The center is situated near the Andres Bonifacio Shrine across from the Manila City Hall and is open from Monday-Friday, 8AM to 5PM.
Besides catering to Manila residents, the testing site is also open for non-residents of Manila.
The testing site is marked by a sign bearing “Drive-Thru COVID-19 Testing Area,” as shown in this drone shot posted by Mayor Isko on his Twitter account.
He added that before lining up to get tested, you just need to bring a valid ID.
Image credit: @IskoMoreno
You also don’t need to worry what type of vehicle you should be in, as people in all vehicles are welcome here. “Ang pwedeng dumaan dito? Dalawang gulong, motorized, non-motorized; tatlong gulong… o apat na gulong. Any John Does and Mary, (Those who can drive-thru here? Two-wheeled, motorized, non-motorized; three-wheeled …. or four-wheeled. Any John Does and Mary.)” said Moreno in an interview.
The deployed medical personnel will procure blood samples of riders who are coming by for a test. The samples will then be processed by the new testing machines from the US healthcare and medical device company Abbott.
Currently, the City Government of Manila has four machines that can conduct 89,600 tests in a month.
The testing machines are said to have an accuracy rate of 99.6% specificity (the ability to identify those without COVID-19) and 100% sensitivity (the ability to identify those with COVID-19).
However, people who test positive after their samples are examined with the machines must still undergo confirmatory swab tests.
“We will utilize the recently-purchased machines. These have accuracy of 99.6% for specificity and 100% for sensitivity. This is part of our continuing massive testing, including every driving Manileño who will pass by Lawton,” Moreno confirmed.
Those without a vehicle or cannot drive to the free testing site will be referred to nearby Manila hospitals: Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center, Ospital ng Sampaloc, and Ospital ng Maynila. If one gets a positive result, a swab test should follow.
Video credit: Isko Moreno Domagoso
To answer the growing demand for free testing, the City Government of Manila has opened a second free drive-thru testing site at the Quirino Grandstand. Starting Monday, July 20, both Manila and non-Manila residents can choose to line up either in the testing site at the Andres Bonifacio Monument or at the Quirino Grandstand.
This second testing site is also open from 8AM to 5PM, Monday to Friday. Same rule applies, all you need to bring is a valid ID.
Image credit: Isko Moreno
According to Mayor Isko Moreno, they will see to it that the drive-thru tests remain free to the public as much as they can.
This initiative from the City Government of Manila is indeed laudable, as COVID-19 tests should be accessible for everyone including those who cannot afford them.
We hope other local governments can boost their testing capacities, and relieve the financial burden of COVID-19 tests on their citizens.
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Cover image adapted from: Wikimedia Commons, Manila Public Information Office
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