Moreno’s free COVID tests attract thousands

The pandemic is a universal problem. We (in Manila) want to be inclusive in our approach

Around a thousand motorists, mostly in motorcycles, took advantage of the drive-through COVID-19 tests offered free by the city of Manila on Thursday and caused traffic to slow in areas around city hall.

Motorists started queuing at the Kartilya ni Bonifacio public park as early as seven in the morning but the line snaked as far up as the United Nations Avenue.

But Manila mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso made sure the congregation of anxious motorists was properly managed by the Metro Traffic and Parking Bureau.

The popular civil servant earlier announced the purchase of brand-new covid test machines each capable of processing 250 tests daily.

Still, he acknowledged having been overwhelmed by the response to the free service extended even to nonManila residents.

Moreno convened an emergency council meeting on Thursday and vowed to come up with a more orderly delivery of the service in 48 hours.

Previously, Moreno said the Architect plus i1000 SR machines donated by Abbott Laboratories offer 99.6 specificity and 100 percent sensitivity to the feared virus that effectively rules out so-called false negative and false positive results that usually accompany other rapid test kits.

He also committed extending the free service to all who need it, even to non-Manila residents as a form of support for other less endowed local governments.

“The pandemic is a universal problem. We (in Manila) want to be inclusive in our approach,” Moreno said, noting that some three million non-residents visit Manila everyday.

The free drive-thru tests, is available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday and accept all motorists who need to fill out forms and present a valid government-issued identification.

Manila medical staff takes blood samples as quickly as five minutes from each motorist and results are known within 24 hours.

“While living, working, passing by or doing business in Manila, we want you to have that level confidence that you are healthy and at the same time to be responsible toward others by making sure you are not carrying the virus and may be transmitting it unknowingly. This service is for free,” Moreno said.