Albay sets up rapid test booth in Astrodome

The Albay Provincial Health Office has set up a Rapid Testing Booth at the Albay Astrodome that can accomodate up to 25 or more individuals per day.

Albay Provincial Health Officer Dr. Antonio Ludovice said the test is free of charge for individuals who are at a high risk of exposure to persons with COVID-19. These include healthcare workers or frontliners who have been exposed to PUI's (persons under interest) or probable patients. 

Individuals referred by local government units (LGUs) for testing and people about to travel to places with no COVID19 positives may also be tested for free at the booth. 

Test results can be released within 10 to 15 minutes. Positive results will be forwarded to the regional laboratory for further confirmatory testing. 

Limitations in the supply of test kits make it impossible for the tests to be provided for free to everyone. 

Ludovice explained that private institutions that want their employees tested must bring their own rapid test kits or pay for one at the booth. The money paid will be used to replenish the rapid test kits.

Albay has had no new Covid19 cases in the past ten days. As of May 27, Albay has 53 total confirmed cases of COVID-19, with 42 recoveries. Eight patients still have the disease and are confined at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital. Three have died.