GENERAL SANTOS CITY—A businessman, who was infected with coronavirus at a cockfight derby in Davao City last March, tested positive for the virus again after passing quarantine for COVID-19.
The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH) said respiratory samples were collected from the businessman, branded as patient No. 3669, last April 28 after his release from hospital isolation last April 16.
The 59-year-old businessman had been considered recovered after an earlier test result showed him cured of COVID-19. The tests were done at the Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City.
After release from the hospital, the businessman went on home quarantine for 14 days, heeding protocol which also required him to be tested again before he is allowed to go out in public.
A fourth swab process was done on the patient and results are being awaited.
The DOH said the patient could have tested positive again despite being released from the hospital and declared cured because there were remnants of the virus in his system.
This, however, did not mean he was infectious, according to the DOH. The patient has reentered the hospital for isolation again.