Naga launches mobile antigen testing project

By Jason B. Neola

The Naga City Health Emergency Response Task Force (HERTF) has decided to strengthen the conduct of its active case finding that calls for the city government to widen its antigen testing operations in view of the Covid-19 Alert Level 4 status in the city.

Active case finding means identifying reportable cases of Covid-19 infections in the community to ensure that infected people can receive early treatment and care to be able to prevent onward transmission of the virus.

The undertaking pursues the mandate of Vice President Leni Robredo’s swab cab that operated in the city from July 2-30, this year. The activity aimed to test more people and do immediate contact tracing and isolation.

MOBILE TESTING The Naga City government started recently the conduct of house-to-house antigen testing with healthcare workers from the City Health Office. Photo shows two individuals availing the services right inside their homes. (Story below) JBN/REY BAYLON/CEPPIO

The city’s mobile antigen testing began to reel off Tuesday, Sept. 28. It is being conducted in collaboration with the Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MNCCI) and the Tarabangan Naga, a group of volunteers that partnered with the city government in the conduct of NagaVax Express and Resbakuna vaccination campaign.

On Monday, Sept. 27, this year, some 11 barangays were visited by the two teams of healthcare workers, BHWs, and medical technologists who compose the swab cabs’ personnel.

Mayor Nelson Legacion said the cabs will make rounds in the city’s 27 barangays to conduct door-to-door swab testing of individuals who signified their willingness to undergo antigen testing because of Covid-19 symptoms.

“Initially, the two swab cabs will operate in the communities for 14 days,” Legacion said.