CLMMRH chief pushes for mass testing of 30,000 people

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – The head of Corazon Locsin Montelibano Memorial Regional Hospital (CLMMRH) is lobbying for the mass testing of at least 30,000 people for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Dr. Julius Drilon said the public should not be complacent if laboratory test results of suspected COVID-19 cases are negative.

Drilon advised provincial officials that they should not be confident as negative test results so far are not an assurance that the province is free of the virus.

The CLMMRH head said that at least 10,000 in Bacolod, and another 20,000 people in the whole Negros Occidental should undergo swab testing.

He pointed out asymptomatic cases or individuals who have contracted the virus but do not manifest signs should not be ignored as there is a big possibility that they have already infected those they encountered.

Drilon also affirmed that the hospital still lacks Personal Protective Equipment, as well as COVID-19 testing kits.

Around 500 CLMMRH nurses and doctors have also been placed on reserve status, as the hospital is also preparing for the possibility of a “second wave” of infections.

Earlier Drilon also claimed that COVID-19 cases will reach its peak in the province and the city of Bacolod by third week of April.