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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider OFW in Cotabato exposed to 1st UK variant case under isolation

OFW in Cotabato exposed to 1st UK variant case under isolation

Published Jan 27, 2021 11:24 am

COTABATO CITY (PNA) – Health authorities here have confirmed that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from this city was tracked down by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for his possible exposure to the first Filipino, who contracted the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 (United Kingdom) variant. 

BARMM officer-in-charge Dr. Amirel Usman (Photo courtesy of BIO-BARMM / via PNA)
BARMM officer-in-charge Dr. Amirel Usman (Photo courtesy of BIO-BARMM / via PNA)

“He is under isolation and has been given a swab test,” Dr. Ameril Usman, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which covers Cotabato City, said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

Usman said health officials were monitoring the OFW closely, although he has not shown any symptoms of the coronavirus disease (COVId-19), and appeared healthy.

“According to our surveillance officer, he is on quarantine and still waiting for the official result. If he turned out positive, that will be the time we will send genetic sequencing to Manila,” he said.

The OFW was one of the last two passengers exposed to the first COVID-19 UK variant patient in the country, and was traced by National Bureau of Investigation operatives on Tuesday.

He was among the passengers of Emirates Flight EK 332 that arrived in Manila on January 7. He returned home on January 8.

Usman said the OFW’s close family members were also quarantined, and were informed why they had to be isolated. 

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