MANILA, Philippines — The government has tested nearly 7,000 repatriated overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) for coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from May 2 to May 6, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said Thursday.
To be exact, 6,968 land-based and sea-based OFWs were tested for the SARS-CoV-2 which causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
In a Twitter post, the PCG said a total of 3,577 OFWs in Luzon were tested on May 6 alone.
The OFWs are currently undergoing self-isolation and asked to comply with health protocols against COVID-19 while they wait for their test results.
“Rest assured that once necessary clearances are issued, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will coordinate their transport so they may finally go home to their families,” the PCG said.
LOOK: A total of 6,968 land-based and sea-based Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) safely underwent RT-PCR testing for COVID-19 administered by the Sub-Task Group for the Repatriation of OFWs on 02 – 06 May 2020. pic.twitter.com/xLBYPXIIti
— Philippine Coast Guard (@coastguardph) May 7, 2020
On Wednesday, National Task Force against COVID-19 chief implementer Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr. said that 19 OFWs have so far tested positive for the coronavirus.
Last April 27, PCG Commandant, Admiral Joel S Garcia met with representatives from licensed manning and shipping agencies to discuss the implementation of the mandatory 14-day facility-based quarantine and mandatory rapid antibody testing, with an option for RT-PCR testing for all returning Filipino seafarers at the PCG National Headquarters.
Garcia sought the cooperation of the private sector in providing assistance and support to hundreds of Filipino seafarers who were to disembark and get transferred to their designated quarantine facilities this week amid the COVID-19 pandemic.