Two more OFW repatriates infected with COVID-19

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Two more repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Western Visayas were infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to the Department of Health – Center for Health Development Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6).

Dr. Renilyn Reyes, head of Public Health Program Development of DOH-CHD 6, confirmed the two new additional cases in the region on Thursday.

In its bulletin, the two new cases include a 23-year-old male from Pandan, Antique (WV Patient No. 110) and a 33-year-old male from Lapuz, Iloilo City (WV Patient No. 111).

“The two are currently asymptomatic and are under facility quarantine,” Reyes said.

According to Reyes, the two repatriates secured negative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and medical certificates, which allowed them to return to the region on May 25, 2020.

“Based on our assessment, the two of them were issued a certificate and negative ila RT-PCR result paghalin sa Manila,” she said.

The two repatriates boarded the same sea vessel and arrived in Iloilo City on May 25. They were swabbed on the same day and their results were positive for COVID-19.

The region has already recorded 111 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 23 active case, 78 recoveries, and ten deaths as of Thursday.

Out of the 111 cases, 35 are repatriated OFWs, according to Reyes.

The mass transport of returning OFWs who were stranded in Metro Manila began Monday with thousands of OFWs arriving in the region via sea vessels and sweeper flights.

The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) announced that 24,000 OFWs from Metro Manila will be sent home to the provinces with an estimated 8,000 persons per day transport using all modes of transportation.

The national government has assured that only repatriates who have negative RT-PCR test will be allowed to return to the provinces.