2 attendees at actress’ pantry positive for COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — Two Quezon City residents who went to the community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin have tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Quezon City government.

The two patients, both residents of Barangay Holy Spirit where the community pantry was held last week, were among those who availed of the local government’s free swab services for those who attended the pantry last April 23.

An 11-year-old daughter of one of the attendees also exhibited symptoms and tested positive for COVID-19, added Rolly Cruz, head of the city epidemiology and surveillance unit (CESU).

The patients were brought to one of the city’s isolation facilities for continuous monitoring and symptoms management.

“We will conduct immediate contact tracing on other members of their families to check if they are also infected with the virus,” Cruz said.

“We are urging those who went to last week’s gathering, please contact us and have yourself tested. This way, we can be assured that your families and our communities are safe,” he added.

As of Thursday, the city has conducted swab testing on 62 other individuals who attended the activity, which was identified as a potential super spreader event after attendees failed to follow health protocols when the distribution of goods began.

A man also collapsed and died while waiting in line at the pantry.

Locsin apologized to those who were affected, stressing that it was never her intention as she only wanted to help people during her birthday.

The city government, meanwhile, issued guidelines to ensure that social distancing and other health protocols are followed when setting up community pantries.

Cruz earlier admitted difficulty in tracing those who went to the activity, noting that many came from outside Quezon City.

Affected residents may book an appointment for swab testing online at http://bit.ly/QCfreetest or through the CESU Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/QCEpidemiologyDiseaseSurveillance/.

Those who live in other areas are being referred to their respective local government units.

QCPD launches mobile food stalls

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) yesterday launched a charity program to help poor households in the city affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Joy Belmonte graced the send-off ceremony for the mobile stalls at the QCPD headquarters.

Dubbed as Mobile KYUSIna ng Bayan, the mobile stalls were sent to depressed areas in Quezon City to offer poor residents food and other essential goods for free.

Belmonte pledged the city government’s full support for the QCPD’s project. – Emmanuel Tupas