121 locals stranded in Iloilo arrive in Palawan

Some 122 local stranded individuals (LSI) from Iloilo province were welcomed in Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) Wednesday. Health officials said the new arrivals will undergo rapid diagnostic test (RDT) next week of the seventh day of their quarantine period in their respective hometowns. —PHOTOS COURTESY OF PROVINCIAL INFORMATION OFFICE

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– More than 100 local stranded individuals (LSI) from Iloilo province arrived in Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) late Wednesday.

Dr. Mary Ann Navarro, chief of the Provincial Health Office, said Thursday that the 122 Palawan LSIs had yet to undergo rapid diagnostic test (RDT).

“They were not rapid-tested. Some of them headed straight to their municipality, those who have transport. Some are in hotels,” Navarro said.

Navarro said the LSIs would undergo RDT next week. In an earlier statement, she said the rapid test is more “reliable on the first week” as it merely detects antibodies.

“Those who headed straight to their municipalities will be quarantined in [respective] facilities. On the seventh day, that’s when they will be tested using RDT,” Navarro added.

The 122 LSIs, 55 of whom are city residents, while 67 are from different municipalities in Palawan, arrived through MV Ma. Isabel of the Montenegro Shipping Lines.

Personnel from the joint Incident Management Team of Puerto Princesa City and Palawan welcomed and assessed the LSI.

There are 158 LSIs who have returned to Palawan out of 2,006 LSIs from different cities and provinces.

LZB