MANILA, Philippines — The Bureau of Immigration (BI) reported on Wednesday that 46 of its employees had been found positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19). According to Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente, nine of the 46 have already recovered while the rest are in government-accredited quarantine facilities, except for one who is confined in a hospital.
“The good news is that, so far, none of our employees have succumbed to the virus,” he said in a statement.
Front-line services
He pointed out that there was always a risk of infection as BI personnel provide front-line services, not only in bureau offices, but also at ports of entry that were always crowded with travelers. “We are doing our best in seeing to it that health protocols aimed at preventing the spread of the virus are strictly observed in our offices and workplaces,” he added.
Morente said that half of those who had contracted the virus were assigned at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila, while the rest were stationed in international airports and the bureau’s satellite and extension offices.
According to him, the bureau has recorded 93 suspected COVID-19 cases among its personnel although half of them have been cleared and tested negative for the virus after undergoing home quarantine.