A detainee at the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) headquarters in Manila has tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after undergoing both rapid antibody test and the confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test.
NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin said the person is among five detainees who tested positive during rapid antibody tests conducted by the Manila Health Office last June 18 and 19.
“Yung limang nagpositive sa rapid test, isa lang nagpositive sa swab (Out of the five who tested positive in the rapid test, only one tested positive after getting swabbed for confirmatory testing),” Lavin said on Wednesday.
The NBI spokesman said the detainee has remained asymptomatic and has already been placed in an isolation area meant for those who have tested positive for COVID-19.
“May rapid test ulit kaming gagawin on Thursday and Friday (Rapid tests will again be conducted at the NBI this Thursday and Friday),” Lavin said.
The NBI spokesman said the rapid tests will be conducted by the Manila Health Office along with NBI health officers.
Lavin said the NBI headquarters has remained under lockdown since June 18 and has advised the public that it will not allow “walk-ins.”
“Yung mga ine-engage namin yung mga naka-online na registration sa clearance at yung mga na-isyuhan ng subpoena (We will only cater to those who have registered online for clearances and those who have been issued subpoenas),” he said.
An elderly NBI detainee died last June 16 after being rushed to a hospital on June 14. The hospital conducted tests on the NBI detainee and found that he was infected with COVID-19.