48 OFWs undergoing self-quarantine in Bohol —Gov. Yap

A total of 48 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have returned to Bohol province and were isolated in quarantine facilities, Governor Arthur Yap said on Tuesday. 

At a Laging Handa press briefing, Yap admitted that two of the OFWs have tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) after being subjected to PCR-based (polymerase chain reaction) tests. However, they tested negative following a rapid antibodytest. 

Yap said the local government is still waiting for the final report of the Department of Health (DOH) regarding the real status of the OFWs.

"Just to be totally transparent pa, noong May 1, may nai-report ang DOH na nag-positive dito sa returning OFWs. May dalawa daw na nag-positive sa PCR test. After that, pina-rapid test sila ng DOH at lahat negative," Yap said. 

"Kaya ngayon, hinihintay pa namin 'yung final word from DOH kung ano nga ba. So today, 'yung 48 OFWs na umuwi sa Bohol, lahat po sila ay pinapag-second PCR namin para malaman natin," he added. 

Bohol province was earlier reported as still free from COVID-19. 

Meanwhile, Yap said the OFWs who have returned were in good health generally, noting that they did not manifest any severe flu-like symptoms. 

"Ang latest report sa akin wala po sa kanila ang nagpapakita ng severe or unstable mild acute respiratory disorders," Yap said. 

"Mayroong dalawa o tatlo, may mga mild na sipon. Binibigyan naman sila ng gamot pero normal naman. According to the doctors, hindi naman out of ordinary ang nakikita nila," he added.

Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said returning OFWs were mandated to undergo PCR-based test before going back to their residences. 

"'Pag negative siya after two days, three days, puwede na siyang umuwi sa LGUs. Pagdating sa LGU, nasa LGU na kung gusto pa niyang i-test pero puwede na siyang i-home quarantine kasi PCR test na 'yun," Año told reporters. 

PCR-based test kits are considered by the Department of Health as the "gold standard" in testing since these can detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The rapid test kits, on the other hand, measure antibodies and not the viral load itself. —KG, GMA News