Navotas tests detainees for Covid

Some 200 detainees in Navotas Tuesday underwent x-ray and swab testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Mayor Toby Tiangco said the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP)-Navotas sought the city government's help to have the detainees undergo chest x-ray before their transfer to the BJMP quarantine facility in Bicutan, Taguig.

The detainees are currently under the custody of the Navotas City Police.

"BJMP required that detainees be x-rayed and sent to the Bicutan facility for a 28-day quarantine. Afterwards, they will be brought to the Navotas City Jail. Those who were found to have lung problems will be separated to avoid the spread of infection," he explained.

The detainees had their x-ray under Project HEAL (HEalthy and Active Lungs), a program of the Department of Health and the City Government of Navotas in coordination with USAID and Philippine Business for Social Progress.

"While the BJMP only requested for the x-ray, we also had the detainees tested for COVID-19 to ensure that they are safe from the virus," he added.

As of November 23, Navotas has conducted 39,980 swab tests or 14.9 of the city's population.

The city also recorded 5,252 total cases with 5,038 recoveries, 57 active, and 157 deaths.