3 close contacts of OFW detected with India variant tested positive for COVID-19 —DOH

Three close contacts of the overseas Filipino worker, who was detected with the India variant of the coronavirus, tested positive for COVID-19, the Department of Health said Saturday.

“As to the case number 2, the 58-year-old male from UAE [United Arab Emirates], meron po tayong verified na 32 close contacts doon sa eroplano at tatlo po sa kanila ay positive,” Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said during the Laging Handa briefing.

(As to the case number 2, the 58-year-old male from UAE, we have verified 32 close contacts inside the airplane and three of them are COVID-19 positive.)

The specimen of one of the three close contacts who tested positive for the virus was already subjected for whole genome sequencing.

However, the DOH said they have yet to locate the two other close contacts who tested positive for the virus.

“Pina-submit na po natin sa whole genome sequencing ‘yung isang sample at ‘yung sa dalawa ay hinahanap po natin, nilo-locate po ‘yung dalawang individuals,” she said.

Vergeire also disclosed that 28 of the 32 close contacts tested negative while the data of one passenger is still being verified with the DOH’s database.

Meanwhile, the DOH said there were six close contacts of the other OFW who was found to be carrying the India variant of the coronavirus.

Of the six close contacts, three have tested negative while the other three are still being identified by the DOH.

“’Yung tatlo hinahanap pa ho namin sa database dahil 'di nagma-match ang mga pangalan na nasa manifesto [of flight details],” Vergeire explained.

(We are still identifying the other three because their names do not match those on the manifesto of flight details.)

In a press briefing Friday, Vergeire explained that in a plane setting, “close contact” refers to passengers located four seats in front, behind, and beside a COVID-19 case.

The two OFWs detected with B.1.617 coronavirus variant first discovered in India have already recovered from the respiratory disease and are now in Soccsksargen and Bicol.

The DOH said the two seafarers had no other close contacts aside from their co-passengers since they were immediately quarantined upon arrival.

Aside from B.1.617, the Philippines has also detected the variants first discovered in the United Kingdom (952 cases), South Africa (1,098 cases), Brazil (two cases), and Central Visayas (157 cases). 

Only 14 of these cases were active as of May 9. —KG, GMA News