(April 29, 2021) – Amid all the concerns on the transmission of COVID-19 after Angel Locsin’s overcrowded community pantry, the four individuals who were tested by Quezon City after attending the event have all yielded a negative result.
Quezon City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU) chief Dr. Rolando Cruz said around 20 people had themselves tested for COVID-19 after experiencing symptoms following Locsin’s birthday charity drive last Friday. Cruz clarified that no one has tested positive so far, denying swirling rumors.
“Wala pa tayong nagpo-positive doon sa mga nagpunta. ’Yung unang apat ay na-antigen test natin at sila ay negative. Pagkatapos ng antigen, pinapa-swab for RT-PCR so pinadala pa ito sa laboratory,” said Cruz in an interview with DZBB Super Radyo on Thursday.
Thousands of Filipinos flocked to Brgy. Holy Spirit in Quezon City as Locsin launched a community pantry as part of her 36th birthday celebration.
Due to the large number of people, social distancing was no longer observed. A senior citizen also fainted while lining up and was later declared dead on arrival in the hospital.
Cruz said they have been receiving an average of 950 swab test requests per day, with around 600 conducted daily. He noted that people who went to Locsin’s community pantry are being prioritized.
“Today is the fifth day since Ms. Locsin’s event. The average incubation period for COVID-19 is approximately five days. So we call on everyone who went to last Friday’s gathering, please report to us and have yourself tested. If there was a transmission and you were exposed, you may observe some symptoms manifesting starting today,” said Cruz in a statement.
The event earned heavy criticism, with Department of the Interior and Local Government secretary Eduardo Año calling out Locsin for her alleged lack of coordination with local authorities.
“It’s the organizer’s responsibility to impose the minimum health standards. That’s the primary reason why they have to coordinate with the LGUs (local government units) so that the latter can provide assistance,” said Año last Friday.
Locsin maintained she went through all the proper channels before holding her community pantry.
She has since apologized for what happened, explaining it wasn’t her intention to invite a huge crowd, adding even authorities had a hard time enforcing COVID-19 protocols.
“Hindi po ito ang gusto ko. Nagkataon lang po talaga siguro gutom lang talaga ‘yung tao na kahit wala po sa pila, sumingit na po sila. Sa mga nagambala ko po dito, pasensya na po,” said Locsin.
Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has also defended Locsin, noting the clear intention to help people in need.
As of Tuesday, Quezon City has over 80,500 COVID-19 cases, some 9,000 of which are still active.
(Kiko Demigillo/PM)
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