CAGAYAN – The specimen taken from the 10 relatives of the overseas Filipina worker (OFW), who was found to be positive for the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) variant in Hong Kong, are now being examined by the Department of Health (DOH).
This was disclosed by the Cagayan Provincial Information Office (PIO) Saturday as it confirmed that the afflicted Filipina had direct contact with her relatives when she came home for a visit in her Solana.
The Cagayan PIO said she left Cagayan last December 17 on a private vehicle, and arrived in Manila, December 18.
She then underwent swab test on December 19 which turned out negative.
According to the DOH, the OFW flew to Hong Kong on December 22, and was again subjected to quarantine by authorities.
She underwent another swab test on January 2, which yielded a positive result on January 9. The test also showed she was afflicted with the new variant of the disease.
The DOH and the Regional and Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit immediately conducted contact tracing when they learned that the Pinay was from Solana town, Cagayan.
According to the information gathered by the Cagayan PIO, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Carlos Cortina III immediately subjected to quarantine to 10 persons tagged as having had direct contact with the OFW, and had them undergo swab tests.
Specimen have been sent to the DOH for testing for the new COVID-19 variant.
Meanwhile, Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and Cortina surmised that the OFW was infected in Hong Kong, and not in the country, since she was already negative prior to her flight.