19 repatriated OFWs tested positive for COVID-19 -Galvez
At least 19 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) have tested positive for COVID-19, according to Carlito Galvez Jr., head of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, on Wednesday.
At the regular Laging Handa briefing, Galvez said a total of 2,100 OFWs forced home by the pandemic were tested for COVID-19 upon their arrival.
“So far, 19 po ang positive, and we are waiting for an official report from the Philippine Red Cross,” he said.
Galvez said quarantine facilities for returning OFWs are almost full, with already 23,480 OFWs currently undergoing 14-day quarantine to prevent possible COVID-19 transmission.
This situation has prompted the government to temporarily suspend inbound flights to the Philippines for a week, which will last until Friday, May 8.
"Halos puno na po ang hotels at ibang accommodation [for our arriving OFWs]. Kung hihigit pa po sa 30,000, mahihirapan na po tayo ma-control ang situation. Kailangan po natin gawin itong inbound flight suspension para po maka-comply po ang NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) sa minimum health standard at ma-i-test po ang ating OFWs under PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing upon their disembarkation,” Galvez pointed out.
"May 44,724 pa po na darating na OFWs ngayong May. Dapat po, 400 to 500 per day lang [ang darating] para ma-manage po natin mabuti," he added.
The Philippines has reported 9,684 COVID-19 cases so far. Of this number, 1,408 have recovered while 637 others died. --KBK, GMA News