ILOILO CITY—The Department of Health (DOH-6) is reiterating the call for persons in Western Visayas region not to breach quarantine protocols once they undergo swab tests for coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
“They have to undergo quarantine and refrain from going around,” said DOH-6 Regional Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar.
Her appeal was made after several breach in protocols were reported within the week.
Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas had to undergo quarantine starting August 4 after he was exposed to two people who tested positive for COVID-19. The two flew in from Metro Manila and visited the Iloilo City Hall to turn over donations of face masks and other items while their test results for COVID-19 were pending. The result was released hours after they met with Treñas and other officials.
DOH-6 reiterated that those who underwent swab test were deemed as high-risk, and they should make a responsible decision to isolate themselves and not spread COVID-19 if, indeed, they will turn out positive for the viral disease.
DOH-6 said that local government units (LGUs) must monitor who were swabbed as it is mostly the LGUs, which conduct the swab test, which is then submitted to a DOH-run laboratory in Iloilo City for diagnosis.
Convocar also reminded national government agencies (NGAs), LGUs and the private sector to monitor their personnel, who underwent swab testing.
Meanwhile, Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. urged a privately owned hospital that also conducts testing, to immediately inform LGUs whenever there is a walk-in client who is willing to pay for testing so that local officials can monitor the movement of these people pending the release of their test results.