Muntinlupa Rescue Unit resumes following temporary shutdown

THE Muntinlupa City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO) announced the resumption of Muntinlupa Rescue’s operations and Emergency Medical Services starting August 2, following a one-week temporary shutdown.

MCDRRMO chief Erwin Alfonso confirmed that Muntinlupa Rescue will resume its full operations after completion of disinfection activities and testing efforts of the emergency response unit.

On July 26, Alfonso ordered the temporary closure of the rescue unit due to three staff members to have tested positive for Covid-19 after conducting RT-PCR tests.

He noted that while MCDRRMO awaits for five remaining test results, Muntinlupa Rescue has enough personnel to continue with its daily operations.

During the one-week shutdown, 26 personnel of Muntinlupa Rescue were placed under quarantine and went to swabbing. Two additional staff members tested positive for Covid-19 and were isolated for treatment.

The local Rescue Unit augments the City Health Office in handling the management and transportation of suspect and confirmed cases of Covid-19. This is in addition to assisting people during disasters, accidents, and emergency cases, and taking them to hospitals.

Emergency services and transportation of patients using Muntinlupa Rescue’s ambulances were temporarily handled by Barangay Emergency Response Teams (B.E.R.T).

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi says that stricter measures and quarantine protocols will be implemented in local government offices to ensure the safety of the public. The local executive urged city residents to continue to observe health protocols such as wearing of face masks, physical distancing, and hand hygiene.