OFWs from Wuhan, China released with clean bill of health —DFA

Repatriated overseas Filipino workers from coronavirus-hit Wuhan City in Hubei Province, China have been released from their 14-day quarantine in New Clark City (NCC) after receiving a clean bill of health.

"All 30 repatriates from Wuhan received a clean bill of health and were cleared by the Department of Health (DOH) to leave the New Clark City quarantine facility today," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said in a statement.

Wuhan Repatriates Finish Quarantine Period in Good Health: https://t.co/1Sy0FSEHua

All 30 repatriates from Wuhan received a clean bill of health and were cleared by the Department of Health (DOH) to leave the New Clark City quarantine facility today. pic.twitter.com/8vzTxsYhKC

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) February 22, 2020

Aside from the 30 repatriates, five DOH medical team members, five DFA response team members, six plane crew, and three ground personnel were also released from quarantine, according to a separate statement.

The DOH and the DFA held a send-off ceremony for all 49 repatriates on Saturday afternoon.

"We are glad that all our repatriates from China are well and did not exhibit any signs of the COVID-19. Through everyone’s cooperation, we have ZERO infections and ZERO mortalities," Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said.

"We also welcome a most wondrous gift, the birth of a baby boy, who was delivered healthy and strong at the Jose B. Lingad Memorial Regional Hospital," he added.

The repatriates received certifications of quarantine completion as well as financial assistance from the DFA, the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, and the Department of Social Welfare and Development.

DOH also extended its gratitude to authorities who took part in the quarantine.

Meanwhile, in a separate statement, Malacañang  commended the DFA, DOH, and the 10-man Health Emergency Response Team from both agencies "for their heroic efforts" to bring back the repatriates.

"We, likewise, thank the local government, as well as the residents, of Capas, Tarlac for their cooperation and understanding in hosting our fellow countrymen during their quarantine period," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said.

The local government of Capas initially opposed the plan to use NCC as a quarantine facility for repatriated Filipinos.

However, they later agreed under the condition that only one batch of repatriates will be accommodated in the Athlete's Village.

The Filipinos from Wuhan, the epicenter of the virus, arrived at the NCC on February 9.

Meanwhile, the second batch of repatriated Filipinos from the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan will be quarantined at the NCC for a 14-day period in the following days.

The decision has drawn criticism from residents of Capas near the NCC.

"The Office of the President is confident that the succeeding repatriation efforts will be seamless and will have a similar outcome as we assure that the safety of Filipinos here and abroad remains to be the paramount concern of the government," Panelo said. — LBG/MDM, GMA News