QC barangay hit for not coordinating Covid-19 testing of personnel

The Quezon City government on Saturday deplored the lack of coordination that caused panic, fear and confusion after 30 personnel of Barangay South Triangle were supposedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) after undergoing rapid tests.

In a statement, the city government said it immediately had the 30 employees undergo swab tests at the QCX Community Testing Center where the results came out negative.

The city government noted that the Barangay South Triangle officials allegedly had 168 of its employees undergo rapid testing on June 4 without informing the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) which is a clear violation of item no. 6 in the rules covering Responsibility of the Barangays.

Item no. 6 requires each barangay to seek the approval of the city government before conducting such tests or any health and safety measures.

With this incident, the city government sternly warned all barangay officials to refrain from conducting rapid testing for COVID-19 without proper coordination with the local government pursuant to the memorandum of Mayor Joy Belmonte dated 29 May 2020 which provided the guidelines for general community quarantine (GCQ).

Barangay South Triangle officials are now facing disciplinary measures where the penalties have not yet been disclosed.

“In the meantime, we call on residents not to panic as the 30 Barangay employees are COVID-19 free, as confirmed by the QCESU,’’ the statement read.

The Quezon City government on Saturday deplored the lack of coordination that caused panic, fear and confusion after 30 personnel of Barangay South Triangle were supposedly tested positive for the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) after undergoing rapid tests.

In a statement, the city government said it immediately had the 30 employees undergo swab tests at the QCX Community Testing Center where the results came out negative.

The city government noted that the Barangay South Triangle officials allegedly had 168 of its employees undergo rapid testing on June 4 without informing the Quezon City Health Department (QCHD) which is a clear violation of item no. 6 in the rules covering Responsibility of the Barangays.

Item no. 6 requires each barangay to seek the approval of the city government before conducting such tests or any health and safety measures.

With this incident, the city government sternly warned all barangay officials to refrain from conducting rapid testing for COVID-19 without proper coordination with the local government pursuant to the memorandum of Mayor Joy Belmonte dated 29 May 2020 which provided the guidelines for general community quarantine (GCQ).

Barangay South Triangle officials are now facing disciplinary measures where the penalties have not yet been disclosed.

“In the meantime, we call on residents not to panic as the 30 Barangay employees are COVID-19 free, as confirmed by the QCESU,’’ the statement read.(Content reposted from Manila Bulletin). Photo: commons.wikimedia.org