By Civ Alonzo-Cruz
The Department of Health (DOH) said in the Laging Handa briefing on Friday (Dec.10) that they will widen their bio-surveillance on Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) after two of the eight passengers from South Africa have yet to be located.
DOH Undersecretary Leopoldo Vega said in the Laging Handa briefing that they are still in the process of locating the remaining two passengers.
He said that false information from the passengers hindered DOH from locating them immediately and they are now coordinating with the local government to find the remaining two passengers.
“Nagkaroon ng problema sa data na ibinigay ng mga OFW. Mali ang mga number na ibinigay nila kaya nahihirapan kaming mahanap sila,” Usec. Vega said.
“Sila ay nasa Region IV-B at Region X. Definitely, mahahanap din sila ng mga LGUs,” he added.
Earlier, DOH confirmed that they located five passengers from South Africa and were tested negative from the virus. They are now undergoing the 14-day quarantine protocol.
The department said that they will widen their bio-surveillance more to avoid these things from happening again and will retain their standard health protocols for all OFWs coming home in the country.
“Papalawakin pa po namin ang bio-surveillance natin dahil ito lang ang makaka-detect ng variants ng ating COVID positive cases. Isolation at testing sa mga pasyente ay ganoon pa rin tulad ng dati. Ang mga pasyenteng positibo ay kailangan pa rin ng 14-days quarantine period upang hindi makahawa,” DOH Usec. Vega said. -rir
