Passenger on Davao-Manila sweeper flight tests positive for COVID-19

DAVAO CITY, Davao del Sur, Philippines — A passenger on a sweeper flight from Manila to this city last Wednesday tested positive for the new coronavirus, Mayor Sara Duterte said in a statement issued on Saturday.

The passenger’s swab sample was confirmed positive for the virus through the RT-PCR test, she said.

RT-PCR stands for real-time reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction.

The sweeper flight brought in Davao region residents stranded in Manila and ferried tourists stranded in the city to Manila.

At least 270 residents from the Davao region availed of the free sweeper flight from Manila to Davao City.

Before the sweeper flights were approved, Duterte and the Department of Health in Region 11 established a screening process at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport to ensure that passengers who might have COVID-19 would be tested on arrival.

“One of the passengers failed the health screening and was sent to SPMC [Southern Philippines Medical Center] for swabbing and was later confined in a COVID-19 quarantine center,” the statement said.

The City Health Office is now contacting other passengers who were seated near the patient during the flight.

“We remind all the passengers of the May 6 flight from Manila, if they develop symptoms within 14 days, to go to SPMC for assessment,” the statement added.

Relatives and housemates of the passengers were advised to avoid direct physical contact during the 14-day quarantine period.

The public is also advised not to approach the passengers for the next 14 to 21 days to avoid infection.

/atm