19 repatriated OFWs test positive for COVID-19

In a public briefing yesterday, Carlito Galvez Jr., Head of the National Task Force against COVID-19 stated that 2,100 repatriated Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) underwent COVID-19 testing upon their arrival amid the coronavirus disease outbreak. 

 “19 po ang positive, and we are waiting for an official report from the Philippine Red Cross,” Galvez stated. (19 are positive, and we are waiting for an official report from the Philippine Red Cross.)

To date, there are 23,480 repatriated Filipino workers, of which 16,738 are seafarers and 6,742 are land-based OFWs undergoing the mandatory 14-day quarantine in Metro Manila and Batangas. In line with this, the National Task Force Against COVID-19, as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force, has ordered the temporary restriction of inbound Philippine flights of OFWs until Friday, May 8,  to decongest quarantine facilities.  

“Halos puno na ang ating mga hotels at accommodations sa Metro Manila. Higit 20,000 po ‘yan at mahirap pong i-kontrol at baka malusutan po tayo. Pinaghahandaan nating i-regulate ang inbound OFW passengers para mapigilan ang tinatawag nating second wave,” Galvez explained. (Our hotels and accommodations in Metro Manila are almost full. Over 20,000 repatriated Filipinos are difficult to control and monitor. We’re preparing to regulate inbound OFW passengers so we can prevent a second wave.)