46 BI employees infected with COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 46 employees of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) have tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) so far, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente disclosed Wednesday.

Morente said that of the 46 cases, nine have already recovered while 37 are still in government-accredited quarantine facilities. No deaths have been reported so far.

The commissioner added that half of those infected are assigned at the BI main office in Intramuros, Manila while the rest are in other areas such as the international airports in Pasay City and Cebu City, and at the bureau’s satellite and extension offices in Metro Manila, among others.

“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,” Morente said in a statement.

There are also 93 suspected COVID-19 cases among the bureau’s employees, however, half of them have already been cleared and were found negative for the virus after undergoing home quarantine, said Morente.

“We are one of the few government agencies whose personnel render frontline services, not only in our offices but in the ports of entry as well,” Morente said.

“It is unavoidable that some of our employees do come in contact or are exposed to persons who are carriers of this virus,” he added.

/MUF