255 Mandaluyong trike drivers test positive for virus

Commuters in Mandaluyong City expressed concern after the local government confirmed that 255 tricycle drivers were found positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) through a rapid test.

“Kailangan siguro 'wag nang sumakay muna. Maglalakad na lang ako, okay lang,” a senior citizen said in a 24 Oras report.

Others appealed for the local government to ensure that drivers have recovered from COVID-19 before allowing them to ply the roads.

“Dapat po magpagaling muna bago po sila magbiyahe para po hindi makahawa-hawa,” another commuter said.

Mayor Menchie Abalos assured Mandaluyong residents that they will not allow COVID-19-positive drivers to return to work.

“Ilalagay natin sa tricycle, sa harap mismo, ‘yung kanilang certificate na talagang dumaan sila ng rapid test. Hangga’t wala silang nakukuhang clearance from polymerase chain reaction (PCR) [machine], hindi natin sila patatakbuhin,” she said.

The local government has so far tested some 4,000 tricycle drivers.

“Sila ay aming i-PCR or swabbing and then for the meantime kung kayang mag-home quarantine ‘pag nag-positive sa rapid… home quarantine muna. ‘Pag wala silang space or wala silang lugar, nagsasabi sila sa amin, lalagay namin sila sa isang school namin,” Abalos said.

The local government’s next target is to test jeepney drivers in the city.

Meanwhile, 38 vendors at the Barangka Market also tested positive for COVID-19 via rapid test.

Mandaluyong City has so far recorded 634 COVID-19 cases with 106 deaths.