THE Quezon City resident who earlier tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant upon arrival from Dubai has tested negative based on his latest swab test.
This was announced yesterday by Dr. Rolly Cruz, head of the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit (CESU), saying that doctors at the quarantine facility where the patient is currently staying will make a final assessment before he is declared fully recovered.
“After that, he would be allowed to reunite with his family and reintegrate with the community,” said Cruz.
Cruz, however, stressed that the patient will remain under strict health monitoring for at least two weeks.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, meanwhile, warned those who discriminate people infected with the virus that they will be punished under the city’s anti-discrimination ordinance.
“Sa panahon ngayon, huwag na nating bigyang puwang ang diskriminasyon dahil wala itong naitutulong at nakakabigat pa sa sitwasyon. Sa halip na pandirihan, ipakita natin ang ating pagmamahal sa kanya at iparamdam na tayo’y masaya na siya’y magaling na,” said Belmonte.
The said resident returned to the country from Dubai with his girlfriend on Jan. 7. Upon arrival, he underwent the mandatory testing and 14-day quarantine.
After testing positive for COVID-19, his sample was sent to the Philippine Genome Center for analysis where it was discovered that he had the UK variant.
The resident’s girlfriend and mother, together with 14 other passengers on the said flight, also tested positive for COVID-19.
Their test results were also sent to the PGC for analysis if they had the UK variant.
