There is still some reluctance against rapid antigen testing from Negros Occidental residents tagged as close contacts of COVID-19 positive persons, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday, October 28.
The provincial government is still conducting rapid antigen testing provincewide to prevent the spread of the virus, he said.
However, there are still some people trying to avoid testing by insisting they are not close contacts or do not feel any COVID-19 symptoms, he added.
“Some we have to compel to be tested”, Diaz said.
The Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital and Valladolid molecular laboratories also conduct 300 to 500 RT-PCR tests for COVID-19 a day, he said.
The number of COVID-19 cases in Negros Occidental has been going down, he said, pointing out that there are less persons hit by the virus in the healing centers and hospitals of the province now.
The provincial government is also prioritizing its COVID-19 vaccination drive “that is a more proactive approach that will save a lot of lives and keep our populace healthy”, he said.*