OFW exposed to COVID-19 UK variant is asymptomatic, under quarantine in Cotabato - health official

COTABATO CITY - An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW), who is among the persons traced by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to have exposure to the individual found positive for COVID-19 UK variant, is under quarantine in a facility in Cotabato City.

Dr. Ameril Usman, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Health in Bangsamoro Region, has confirmed the information and added that the said OFW is closely monitored by health officials.

“According to our surveillance officer, he is on quarantine and still waiting for the official result, if turned out positive that will be the time, we will send genetic sequencing in Manila,” he said.

Usman added that the OFW they are closely monitoring is asymptomatic.

The NBI operatives on Tuesday traced the last two passengers exposed to the first Filipino in the country to test positive for UK variant of the virus that causes COVID-19.

The last contact was traced in Cotabato City.

The Department of Health confirmed the first UK COVID-19 variant case after samples from a 29-year old Filipino, who arrived from the UAE on January 7, yielded positive based on genome sequencing.