Eight co-passengers of the first confirmed case of the new COVID-19 variant in the Philippines, who arrived from Dubai last January 7, have also tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19), reported GMA News.
The COVID-19 variant that hit the eight passengers is yet to be ascertained.
The Philippine Red Cross has already sent the samples of the eight passengers to the Philippine Genome Center to determine whether or not it is the highly transmissible UK COVID-19 variant.
Last January 13, the Department of Health (DOH) confirmed that the new variant has entered the country.
The 29-year-old patient, who arrived in the country with his partner, is a resident of Kamuning, Quezon City. He was immediately isolated, as well as his immediate households and close contacts. His partner, meanwhile, tested negative for the virus and is now undergoing strict quarantine protocols.
The X-ray result of the patient later showed that he has pneumonia.
In a media interview, Dr. Rolly Cruz, Head of the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, said that upon the patient’s transfer to the Hope Quarantine Facility, he started to experience coughing.
Cruz added that, at present, the man is being given antibiotics and other medication for his pneumonia.
On Friday, January 15, the Philippines expanded its travel curbs for foreigners entering the country, adding the UAE and Hungary on the list of countries whose travelers will not be allowed entry.
Filipinos are exempt from this travel ban, which took effect last January 17. However, Filipino passengers will have to adhere to strict COVID-19 protocols.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a statement sent to reporters: “Foreign passengers coming from or who have been to the UAE and Hungary within fourteen (14) days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines shall be prohibited from entering the country effective January 17, 2021, 12:01 AM, Manila time until January 31, 2021.”
Roque added: “Filipino citizens coming from, or who have been to these two countries, within 14 days immediately preceding arrival in the Philippines, including those arriving after January 17, 2021, 12:01AM (Manila time), shall be allowed to enter the Philippines. However, they shall be required to undergo an absolute facility-based 14-day quarantine period, even if they obtain a negative RT-PCR test result.”
For unaccompanied minor Filipino passengers coming from countries where travel restrictions are in place due to the new variants of COVID-19, shall not be allowed boarding by the airlines until January 31, 2021, except minors returning through the repatriation program of the national government.
The Philippine travel ban applies to foreign travellers from the following countries:
United Kingdom
Denmark
Ireland
Japan
Australia
Israel
The Netherlands
The People’s Republic of China, including Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Switzerland
France
Germany
Iceland
Italy
Lebanon
Singapore
Sweden
South Korea
South Africa
Canada
Spain
United States of America
Portugal
India
Finland
Norway
Jordan
Brazil
Austria
Pakistan
Jamaica
Luxembourg
Oman
Two new additional effective January 17: UAE and Hungary
