Random testing at Iloilo Fish Port yields 53 negative results

All 53 swab samples collected from the Iloilo Fishing Port Complex (IFPC) on February 23, 2021 tested negative for Covid-19.

According to Mayor Jerry Treñas, the swab samples were collected by the extraction team of the Iloilo City government from Iloilo Fishing Port workers, particularly highly-vulnerable workers who travel in and out of the city.

“Our extraction team had 53 samples collected from the Iloilo Fishing Port which all turned out negative. This is our effort to do random sampling at the Iloilo Fishing Port to ensure that everyone is safe,” Treñas announced on Tuesday evening.

The city government conducted random swab testing at the Iloilo Fishing Port on Tuesday as part of its efforts to prevent any possible transmission and clustering of cases in the said area.

Last year, over 100 Covid-19 cases were traced to the IFPC which was considered as one of the Covid-19 hotspots in the metro.

The transmission was largely due to the exposure of workers to other fishing crews from high-risk areas who deliver their catch to the port.

The incident prompted the IFPC to impose stringent measures to ensure that the health protocols are imposed in the area.

In a radio interview on Wednesday, IFPC spokesperson Dr. Justo Anaquita said the 100% turnout of the negative swab samples collected at the Fishing Port can be attributed to the strict policies and protocols that are already in place.

According to Anaquita, the minimum health standards such as the wearing of face masks and physical distancing are implemented among all crew members of fishing vessels arriving in the city to prevent any possible transmission of Covid-19.

Moreover, compliance officers and roving guards are also stationed at the IFPC to monitor those who do not follow the required protocols.

“Bilang lugar nga may madamo nga transakyon, ginatinguhaan gid namon nga indi na magliwat ang natabo nga transmission sang nagligad nga mga binulan. That is why we are thankful nga lunsay negative ang aton nga ginpaidalom sa random testing kag within one day nagwa na dayon ang resulta,” he said. (ERS)