COVID-19 survivor claims she was forced out of Tagaytay

A 65-year-old woman who has recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was allegedly forced by local authorities to leave Tagaytay City after rumors circulated online that she “escaped” from quarantine.

In an interview with GMA News, Agnes Reyes said she was sent home by hospital staff to undergo self-quarantine even though her first COVID-19 test came out positive since she was in stable condition and all her vital signs were normal.

Reyes sought consultation at The Medical City after experiencing fever and headache on March 25.

A resident of Barangay Caniogan in Pasig, Reyes decided to isolate at her sister’s home in Tagaytay City while awaiting the results of her second COVID-19 test.

“I went to our house in Tagaytay because I can do self quarantine in my sister’s house because it’s a big house and I can rest and recuperate well. But unfortunately after three days I was forced by Tagaytay LGU to leave,” Reyes said.

“Little did I know that the people in our barangay posted on Facebook that I am COVID-positive, made takas and went into hiding, with matching picture,” she  added.

Reyes was also informed by some former workmates that a message was circulating online among Tagaytay residents claiming that Mayor Agnes Tolentino was looking for her.

GMA News Online has reached out to the Tagaytay mayor for comment but has not yet received a response as of posting.

Reyes said that a policeman and health officers from Tagaytay City and the Department of Health went to her house on the night of April 12, Easter Sunday, and asked her to “leave right there and then.”

“The Tagaytay City Health Office will not allow me to enter Tagaytay now,” Reyes said.

While it remains unclear to her how she contracted COVID-19, since she had no travel history and was always at home.

Reyes has since tested negative for the respiratory disease. -Julia Mari Ornedo and Joseff Tuason/NB, GMA News