About 200 “Persons Deprived of Liberty” or PDLs in Navotas City underwent x-rays and swab testing for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).
This after the Bureau of Jail and Management (BJMP) sought the assistance of the city government to be given free medical check-ups for the detainees before moving to its regional headquarters quarantine facility in Bicutan, Taguig.
“The BJMP requires detainees to be x-rayed before being sent to the Bicutan facility for a 28-day quarantine. Then, they will be taken to the Navotas City Jail. Anyone with a lung problem will be isolated to prevent the spread of infection,” Mayor Toby Tiangco explains.
Detainees are currently in the custody of Navotas City Police Office.
Detainees have x-rays under Project HEAL (HEalthy and Active Lungs), a program of the Navotas Department of Health in coordination with USAID and Philippine Business for Social Progress.
“Although the BJMP only requested x-rays, we have also subjected the detainees to the COVID-19 test to ensure that they are safe from the virus,” he added.
As of November 23, Navotas has already conducted 39,980 swab tests or 14.9 of the city’s population.
The total number of cases in the city has reached 5,252 with 5,038 recoveries; 57 are active and 157 deaths.