Davao City Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has advised Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) and Locally Stranded Individuals (LSI) who just returned to their homes to comply with the 14-day quarantine and for their families to keep physical distance to avoid getting infected of the coronavirus.
“Mag-remind ta sa atong mga kaigsuonang Dabawenyo nga kung duna moy kauban sa balay or member of your household or silingan nga bag-ong abot nga gikan sa ubang lugar, make sure nga dili mo moduol sa ilaha and make sure nga mag comply sila sa 14-day quarantine (We are reminding our fellow Dabawenyos if they have a household member or neighbor coming from other areas, make sure you don’t come near them or make sure they comply with the 14-day quarantine),” Mayor Sara said over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Monday.
This reminder is for all families with returning OFWs and LSIs regardless if members are either experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus disease or asymptomatic.
CHO Head Dr. Josephine Villafuerte said that the 14-day quarantine for returning residents, regardless if he or she is experiencing symptoms or asymptomatic, is required and must be followed.
Davao City has been receiving OFWs and LSIs the past weeks via sweeper flights that were assisted by government agencies. Before boarding the plane these OFWs and LSIs undergo rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) and those who turn out positive in the RDT are not be allowed to board.
Upon arrival in Davao City, returning residents also undergo strict health screening conducted by the City Health Office (CHO) and if they fail, they are referred to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for swabbing.
“They must fill out the health declaration form, undergo thermal scanning and symptom screening if they have a fever, cough, and cold. If they fail the health screening, they will be referred to SPMC for swabbing then for isolation or admission,” said Villafuerte.
Those who will not be put to an isolation facility are required to undergo a 14-day home quarantine and must monitor their health condition. They are required to contact their District Health Office or SPMC in case symptoms appear within 14 days.
As of June 20, the city government has assisted 5,825 inbound Davao City individuals while 4,512 outbound Davao City via land, air, and sea.
Villafuerte said that of these numbers, 18 returning OFWs and two (2) LSIs have tested positive for Covid-19. CIO
