UK COVID-19 variant patient went around NCR before positive test

The Liloan, Cebu resident who was found to have the UK variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) went around the National Capital Region before he tested positive for the illness, leading authorities to believe that he acquired the illness in Metro Manila.

According to Lei Alviz’s report on “24 Oras,” results of the investigation showed that the patient arrived in Metro Manila in November to fix the requirements needed for travel abroad.

Due to this, he went to Sucat, Parañaque to fix his documents.

When asked if the patient could have acquired the illness in Metro Manila, QC Epidemiology and Diseases and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Rolly Cruz said it was “most likely.”

“Mahigit na dalawang buwan na siya dito sa Metro Manila. So hindi kami nakapag-establish pa kung siya’y lumabas pa ng Metro Manila after that. Ang alam namin dito, sabi niya lang ay dito na siya nag-pasko, dito siya nag bagong taon,” Cruz said.

On January 17, the patient was swab tested as this was a requirement before flying to Taiwan.

While waiting for his result, he went to a hotel in Manila.

He then received a positive result on January 18. The next day, with an advisory from his manning agency, the patient moved to an apartment in Quezon City via a Grab vehicle to continue his quarantine.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier announced that the patient tested negative for the virus after re-swabbing at the city’s Hope Facility.

On Thursday, Belmonte said the local government would file a complaint against the manning agency of the patient for alleged breaches in health protocols. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News