Five of the seafarers who recently arrived in Iloilo City contracted the deadly coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

The Department of Health (DOH-6) announced on Saturday, May 2, the results of real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests conducted on the repatriated seafarers.

Four of the five infected seafarers are residents of Iloilo City and the other one is from Guimaras.

“As of [May 1] all [the coronvirus-positive] repatriates are asymptomatic,” said Dr. May Ann Solivs-Sta. Lucia, DOH-6 spokesperson.

The five reptriates are currently quarantined at a hotel in Iloilo City. They will be transferred to Western Visayas Sanitarium in the town of Sta. Barbara, according to Marlyn Convocar, DOH-6 director.

Based on data from the OCD-6, 175 seafarers arrived in the city on Wednesday, April 29, from Manila via a 2GO sea vessel.

Of the total number, 35 are residents of Iloilo City, 68 are from Iloilo province, 5 from Guimaras, 12 from Capiz, 18 from Antique, and 36 from Aklan.

The DOH-6 also reported another new COVID-19 case in Iloilo City. A 28-year-old female from Jaro district tested positive for the disease.

The asymptomatic patient is under strict home quarantine.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the city is now at 14, including two recoveries and one death.

All in all the m, the DOH-6 recorded 6 new cases in Western Visayas, bringing the total count to 72. 

No new recoveries and deaths were reported in the region. The numbers remain at 27 and nine, respectively.IMT

Photo by Leo Solinap