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OFW set to return to UAE tests positive for COVID-19; despedida attendees now under quarantine

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The flight of a 27-year-old Filipina set to return to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) for work was hampered by her COVID-19 test that yielded a positive result days before her flight.

The overseas Filipino worker (OFW), whose identity was withheld, is the first confirmed COVID-19 case in San Jose de Buenavista, Antique.

She arrived in the Philippines last March.

According to Mayor Elmer Untaran, the OFW underwent the swab test on July 23 as part of the preparations for her flight.

“The result of the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test came out only last night, July 26,” Untaran said.

It is unknown how she contracted COVID-19.

Ten family members of the OFW who were with her since she arrived from the UAE tested negative in their rapid diagnostic tests (RDT) carried out Monday.

However, seven of her friends and relatives whom she invited for her despedida have been placed under home quarantine, according to the town’s municipal health officer, Dr. Melba Billones.

“The seven others (patients exposed to the OFW) were with the patient only last night [July 26] because she was supposed to have a ‘despedida’ or farewell party,” Billones said.

All of them, the health officer said, will be closely monitored for the next seven days.

“They will undergo the RPT-PCR within seven days if they will have signs and symptoms of COVID-19,” she said.

Mark Nituma

Mark Nituma is a skilled journalist whose career is defined by his unwavering dedication to storytelling and his passion for uncovering the untold stories. After graduating from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Mark began his journey in the media industry as a researcher for the internationally-awarded TV magazine show Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho, before eventually becoming a producer. Over the years, Mark's journalism career has taken him to some of the most beautiful and least visited places in the Philippines. His ability to capture unique perspectives on life in diverse communities is truly remarkable and has enabled him to rise through the ranks. Today, as the editorial director of TFT, Mark plays a critical role in ensuring that the publication upholds the highest standards of journalistic integrity. His leadership and dedication have helped to shape TFT into one of the leading sources of news and information for Filipinos in the UAE and the Middle East. If you have a story to pitch or simply want to connect, you can reach him at [email protected].

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