OFW tells COVID-19 story to break stigma, discrimination

An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) from Libertad town in Antique mustered the courage to reveal his experience of testing positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) via Facebook in the hope of educating the public and advocating against discrimination.

Jaymar Lee Repedro Napat, a 28-year-old OFW who recently returned to Antique, shared in his Facebook account on Saturday details and his experiences when he contracted the disease.

Napat, who worked as an OFW in the United Arab Emirates, returned to the country last April 29, 2020. He was quarantined in Manila for 27 days before arriving in Antique province on May 26.

“Nag-antay ako sa quarantine facility hanggang sa mapauwi balik ng aking probinsya  sa Antique kung saan binigyan kami ng libreng sakay noong May 26 mula Manila Airport bound to Iloilo. Pagdating sa Iloilo nag-briefing ang DOH (Department of Health) at hinatid ulit ako ng libreng sakay papuntang San Jose,” he shared.

Upon his arrival, Napat was subjected to a rapid antibody test where he tested negative. His swabs were also collected for the real-time polymerase chain reaction test (RT-PCR) test.
After eight days, his laboratory results came out negative for COVID-19. He was then transferred to a quarantine facility in his hometown in Libertad.

He was again subjected to another rapid test where he again tested negative before he was allowed to return home.

Napat underwent home quarantine for 14-days and was again subjected to a rapid test where he again tested negative.

He was then allowed to move freely after the harrowing experiences of testing and isolation.

“I moved freely within sa area at sa Aklan sa family relative ko, after sa struggles na na-experience ko kasi alam ko na certified COVID free ako,” he said.

After almost a month, Napat was directed by his employer to report back to UAE.

As part of his requirements, he booked an appointment for an RT-PCR test in a private hospital in Iloilo City on July 27.

He was to board a flight bound for Manila when he knew that the results will come out within four to five days.

“Ang aking flight naka-schedule mula Kalibo bound to Manila ng July 31, umalis ako ng 9:30 a.m. sakay ng eroplano pagdating sa Manila nagstay lang ako sa Airport at lumipat ng Terminal para sa International flight at 6:15 p.m. bound to Dubai,” he said.

Napat kept on calling the hospital for his confirmatory results but they advised him to wait for an email.

“I kept on calling the hospital na pinagswab test ko kasi July 31 na wala pa din akong natatanggap na result via email, I asked someone to check  my laboratory status kasi its around 2:30 na wala pa din result, and they advised that they will send the email, pero wala pa din nangyari,” he shared.

At around 3:30 am, Napat received a call from the Provincial Health Office (PHO) in Antique confirming that his results came out as positive.

Hence, his supposed return to UAE was stalled and he was advised to stay in a quarantine facility in Manila.

Napat is currently asymptomatic and until now he remains clueless as to where he possibly got the virus.

“Amo na ang pamangkot nga indi ko masabat kay even me, wala man ko kabalo kung din ko nabuol ang virus, kay mostly at home lang gid ko,” he said.

According to Napat, he decided to share his story on social media to be transparent and avoid misinformation.

“Ginshare ko to be transparent sa tanan nga tawo, to avoid panic, kag better nga ang real information magahalin gid mismo sa patient,” he shared.

With his testimony, Napat hopes he can help people understand more about the situation of Covid-19 patients who are usually experiencing discrimination.

“Discrimination natural lang na mam makabati ako kag even sa family ko apektado sila, pero I keep on telling them na don’t mind the people around us,” he said. (ERS)