By Dolly Yasa
BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental Provincial Health Officer Dr. Ernell Tumimbang said the 52-year-old returning overseas Filipino (ROF) worker who was infected with the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), was declared ” recovered” after his re-swab test was negative for SARS-CoV-2.
Other members of his family and close contacts will no longer be swabbed, Tumimbang said.
Based on data from the provincial government, the ROF, who is a resident of Talisay City, Negros Occidental, arrived in the province on Aug. 11 after he completed the required quarantine for OFWs at Seda Hotel from July 20 to 30, and at BB Hotel, both in Manila, from July 30 to Aug. 11.
The PHO on Aug. 25 was informed that the ROF was infected with the highly contagious Delta variant. He was re-swabbed and the negative result came out Friday.
Tumimbang said that if the ROF, who came from the United Arab Emirates, tested positive in the re-swab, members of his family and up to the third-generation contacts will also be subjected to swab testing, in line with the protocols of the Department of Health.
He added that since the result was negative, the ROF could no longer be quarantined because he already recovered.