CEBU CITY, Philippines – Mayor Edgar Labella released the schedule for mass testing here in Cebu City on his Facebook page on Thursday, April 30. 

An estimated 23,000 families will be tested through rapid test kits between May 1 and 10, according to the Cebu City government. Between May 10 and 15, those who tested positive on the rapid tests will be subject to confirmatory PCR swab tests. (READ: FDA approves 5 coronavirus rapid test kits) 

This is because the rapid tests only detect antibodies and not the virus itself.

Barangays Luz and labangon are not included in the schedule because most residents have undergone testing already.

The results of the mass testing will be used to determine if Cebu City can downgrade from enhanced community quarantine to general community quarantine. (READ: Cebu, Davao City, other areas in VisMin on lockdown until May 15)

Since April 14, Cebu City has been able to ramp up its targeted mass testing. This has resulted in a sharp increase in confirmed coronavirus cases. 

As of Wednesday, April 29, there are at least 732 confirmed coronavirus cases in Cebu City, the highest out of anywhere in the Visayas.

Labella attributes the rise in cases largely to the targeted mass testing.

He estimated that an average of 80% of those who have tested positive so far did not have symptoms.

Neighboring Mandaue City and Lapu-Lapu City have also procured rapid test kits to be able to implement massive testing in their own cities. – Rappler.com