EXPANDED TESTING. Residents of Las Piñas City wait in line to avail of the expanded swab testing in a 'Ligtas Center' provided by the local government in an undated photo. The tested residents for Covid-19 are identified through the City Health Office's case finding, screening, and contact tracing. (Photo grabbed from Las Piñas City Official Facebook page)
MANILA – The city government of Las Piñas City has recorded its highest recovery rate for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in one day by discharging 151 newly recovered patients on Wednesday.
In a Facebook post, Mayor Imelda Aguilar said the city government has simultaneously released 151 newly recovered patients which were residents from 20 barangays.
As of July 29, Las Piñas recorded a total of 999 positive cases.
Of the number, 292 are active cases, 654 have recovered and 53 died.
The latest data also includes 132 probable and 159 suspected cases.
Aguilar lauded various healthcare workers and other front-liners for untiringly serving the residents as the city continues to grapple with the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak.
Covid-19 testing, health protocols
Meanwhile, the local government has pushed for the expanded targeted testing for its residents as part of the city's response measures to contain the spread of Covid-19 within communities.
The Las Piñas City Health Office (LPCHO) has recorded 6,844 individuals who have been subjected to swab testing for Covid-19, while 10,028 individuals have undergone the anti-body rapid testing for coronavirus infection.
The city government continues to provide swab testing in its Ligtas Centers, Aguilar said, while the mobile swab testing is still ongoing.
Aguilar added that they are strengthening capacity on screening, case finding, and contact tracing to halt the increasing number of Covid-19 cases in the city.
The Las Piñas local government has assured to provide all the healthcare necessities of every isolated resident in the quarantine facilities.
"Handa po ang Las Piñas government na umalalay at tumugon sa kanilang pangangailangang pangkalusugan sa panahon ng krisis (The Las Piñas government is ready to support and respond to their health needs during the crisis)," Aguilar said.
Aguilar reminded anew residents to stay safe from the risks of Covid-19 and continue to adhere to health protocols and preventive measures against the dreaded disease.
The mayor has also ordered the Las Piñas City Police and some 20 barangays officials to strictly impose the government's health protocols and guidelines including wearing of face masks, observance of physical distancing, and the implementation of curfew hours from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Under the city ordinance no. 1689-20, residents are obliged to wear a face mask at all times, she added, noting that violators of the ordinance will be fined PHP1,000 and/or imprisonment for 30 days.
Blended learning
On the other hand, the Las Piñas School Division has also begun distributing the learner's package to its public school students as the education shifts to the new normal.
In a separate post on Tuesday, Aguilar said about 25 kindergartens and 45 Grade 6 pupils of Golden Acres Elementary School, and 65 Grade 6 students of the Las Piñas East National High School initially received their learner's package.
To continue education in the city amid the pandemic, Aguilar said some 43 public schools in Las Piñas will each get risograph machines it can use for printing the students' modules.
The local government has allotted a PHP300-million budget for the city’s special education fund for the printing of students’ learning materials, she added.
As of July 29, Las Piñas has reached 94.65 percent enrollment or the school year 2020-2021 with 91,873 students.
The local government will also provide internet connectivity for teachers and pocket wi-fi for students which they can use in the blended and distance learning modality. (PNA)
