8 unvaccinated Pinoys from China tested positive for Covid-19—DOH

Eight unvaccinated Filipinos who recently arrived in the Philippines from China have tested positive for Covid-19, the Department of Health (DOH) said on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

The eight individuals are currently undergoing isolation, the DOH said.

The DOH reported that these individuals came to the Philippines from Dec. 27, 2022 to Jan. 2, 2023. They tested positive for Covid-19 “upon arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport via antigen test.”

“Based on current protocols, non-fully vaccinated individuals who are unable to present a negative pre-departure test result are tested upon arrival at the airport,” the DOH said.

“The individuals are currently under isolation and have undergone confirmatory RT-PCR testing on December 31, 2022 with positive results, the department will continue to monitor developments on the matter,” it added.

The DOH assured the public that the government is continuously conducting Covid-19 monitoring and surveillance activities in the country, adding that it is also “keeping an eye for global health events that may occur.”

Filipinos were reminded by the Health department “to help prevent transmission through our layers of protection such as sanitation, masking, distancing, good ventilation, and vaccination in addition to practicing healthy habits and a healthy lifestyle.”

The Philippines is currently on “heightened alert” amid the current surge of Covid-19 cases in China.

The DOH recently directed the Bureau of Quarantine to “intensify quarantine protocols such as heightened surveillance on all respiratory symptoms in all travellers and conveyances coming from China.”

It also ordered the close monitoring of the maritime declaration of health and the health part of the Aircraft General Declaration.

Concerned government agencies were also instructed to report “intercepted symptomatic passengers during arrival screening” as well as Covid-19 travelers from points of entry.