COVID-19 infects 23 OFW repatriates

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

The number of repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) infected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Western Visayas is now at 23.

A 32-year-old male OFW from Pavia, Iloilo is the latest COVID-19 case in the region, according to the bulletin issued by the Department of Health in Western Visayas -Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD 6) on Wednesday.

Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia, head of Health Promotion cluster of DOH-CHD 6, said the patient identified as WV Patient No. 92 is currently under facility quarantine.

On Wednesday, nine repatriates in the region also tested positive for Covid-19, based on the health department’s bulletin.

The nine repatriates include a 28-year-old male from Mandurriao, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 82) and a 24-year-old male from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras (WV Patient No. 81)

In Negros Occidental, repatriates who tested positive for Covid-19 include a 30-year-old female from La Castellana (WV Patient No.83), a 43-year-old male from Escalante City.

Two repatriates from Bacolod City – a 27-year-old male (WV Patient No.86) and a 42-year-old male – were also infected by the virus.

In Antique, three repatriates also tested positive for Covid-19: a 38-year-old male from Laua-an, Antique (WV Patient No.89); 42-year-old male from Tobias Fornier, Antique (WV Patient No. 90) and 34-year-old male from Hamtic, Antique (WV Patient No.91).

Sta. Lucia said the region has 23 infected repatriates as of Monday.

“Out of the 23 repatriates, ten are admitted in a health facility, 11 are under facility quarantine while two have been discharged after graduating from the 14-day quarantine and testing negative in the repeat results,” she said in an online press briefer on Thursday.

The COVID-19 positive repatriates in the region are residents of Iloilo City (7), Iloilo province (4), Antique (1) Negros Occidental (2), Bacolod City (2), Guimaras (2), and Aklan (1).

According to Sta. Lucia, the repatriates arrived in the region on April 9, April 14, and April 29.

A total of 238 repatriated OFWs in Western Visayas arrived in the region last Week after being stranded in Metro Manila for almost a month.

Last April 28, a total of 56 OFWs from Negros Occidental and Bacolod City arrived in the port of Bacolod.

The following day, 182 more repatriated OFWs from Panay Island and Guimaras arrived in Iloilo City.