BACOLOD CITY –– At least 66 patients under investigation (PUI) in Negros Occidental, who were subjected to the rapid test method, were “non-reactive” or negative for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The swab samples of these PUIs, however, were sent to the Iloilo Regional Testing Center for official validation, said former Rep. Alfredo Benitez.
Benitez, who is helping the provincial government in its battle against COVID-19, said 36 more PUIs in Negros Occidental were also tested on Friday for a total of 102 persons, but the official results of the swab tests would come in a day or two.
“If the rapid testing results were positive, chances are there is a virus. Whether it is COVID or not, we could then take extra precautions immediately by isolating a person pending the results of the DOH test,” he said.
Benitez said he would like to see Negros Occidental as the first province to be declared COVID-free.
“We are waiting for the test results of Bacolod. They are on board, I just don’t have an update yet,” he said.