3 of 276 OFWs, stranded Palawan locals positive for COVID-19

Local stranded individuals (LSI) and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) arrive at the Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) on Friday morning. Photo courtesy of Provincial Information Office

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY –– Three of the 276 local stranded individuals (LSI) and overseas Filipino worker (OFW) returnees from Metro Manila, who arrived in Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) Friday morning, tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Dr. Dean Palanca, city incident commander and assistant City Health Officer (CHO), said in a live press briefing, that of 105 city residents who arrived, one OFW returnee and two LSIs tested positive using a rapid diagnostic test (RDT), and were being considered patients with “probable COVID-19 infection.”

The 276 individuals, 171 of whom were from different municipalities in Palawan and 105 were city residents, were aboard a vessel by 2Go Shipping Lines.

“Three turned up positive in IgM (immunoglobulin M) under examination with rapid diagnostic testing (RDT). What does this mean? These three are considered probable COVID-19 infection,” Palanca said, adding that the RDT positive patients are one male and two females.

Local stranded individuals (LSI) and overseas Filipino workers (OFW) arrive at the Puerto Princesa Port (PPP) on Friday morning. Photo courtesy of Provincial Information Office

All 105 city residents are now in the city’s quarantine facilities in their isolation rooms.

Meanwhile, several reports online claimed that Palawan OFW returnees and LSIs, who were brought straight home to their respective municipalities, did not undergo RDT and were under home quarantine instead of being isolated in quarantine facilities.

The provincial government officials have yet to comment on the claim despite multiple attempts for an interview.

LZB