Some unknown number of repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have reportedly escaped hotels-turned-quarantine facilities without completing their 14-day quarantine. Some of them tested positive for COVID-19, according to Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) spokesman Commodore Armand Balilo.
In an interview with a local newspaper, Balilo said, “I do not have the details on how many OFWs escaped from the quarantine facilities, but the swab test results of some of them later showed that they were positive for COVID-19.”
Balilo added that the PCG is already tracking down these individuals and coordinating with local authorities in their respective locales. “Now they’re probably at home, mingling with their families and their communities,” he said.
Out of the 23,000 repatriated OFWs tested, only 7,000 have been received their results from the laboratory run by the Philippine Red Cross (PRC). Both the PCG and Bureau of Immigration are counting on Red Cross’ ramped up testing capacity to catch up on their backlog. Red Cross has recently announced that it has increased its testing capability to process 1,000 tests per day.
OFWs who have received their test results also received a Red Cross certificate as proof that they have completed their 14-day quarantine. Balilo advised these individuals to contact 2Go, who has begun transporting returning OFWs to their provinces.
These cargo ships can normally accommodate 1,900, but since physical distancing needs to be enforced it can only accommodate up to 800 passengers on a “first come, first served” basis.
Header photo courtesy of the Philippine Coast Guard Facebook page
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