QC looking into cause of COVID-19 spread in two convents

The Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) on Thursday said it is looking into the possible causes of COVID-19 spread in two convents in the city.

According to Saleema Refran’s report on “Balitanghali,” a total of 115 individuals tested positive in the Religious of the Virgin Mary (RVM), including 64 nuns.

At the Convent of the Holy Spirit, 13 nuns were among the 22 persons who were found infected with the virus.

Based on initial investigation of the CESU District 4, the RVM convent has been locked down since March 2020.

However, CESU said some personnel of the two convents such as drivers, lay personnel, and support staff were able to freely enter and leave the compound. CESU said they were looking into this as the possible cause of the infection.

At the RVM, one driver was set to return to his province when he tested positive. Due to this, the convent conducted mass testing among its personnel.

Meanwhile, one nun at the Holy Spirt Convent passed away. She was found to be positive in the post-mortem swab while her primary caregiver displayed symptoms of the illness.

The convent asked for help from the local government for mass testing.

CESU is closely monitoring the situation at the RVM as of the 115 individuals who tested positive, 85 are unvaccinated.

After the 14-day special concern lockdown, authorities will conduct vaccination activities in the two convents.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News