Returning OFWs must undergo PCR-based tests -governor

Marinduque Governor and League of Provinces of the Philippines president Presbitero Velasco Jr. urged the national government to subject returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to PCR-based tests to ensure accurate results if they are positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) or not.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV on Monday, Velasco claimed that a number of OFWs who have returned to their provinces were infected with COVID-19.

"Malaki po ang problema dahil 'yung bumabalik na OFWs ay marami po doon kapag po tinesting nila, usually rapid anti-body test ang ginagamit, may ilan po na positibo. Malaki po ang kanilang agam-agam at dumadami po ang infected persons na pumapasok," Velasco said.

"Pinapaabot po natin sa IATF (Inter-agency Task Force) at kay Health Secretary (Francisco) Duque na kung pupuwede po ay mabigyan ng PCR test at negative na po bago bigyan ng certificate ng DOH na puwede nang bumalik at nang mawala po 'yung problema na marami pong infected na pumapasok sa kaniya-kaniyang lalawigan," he said.

Velasco said the PCR-based test should be done at the start of the quarantine period of the OFW.

"Nire-request namin na 'yung PCR test ay masubject po agad itong mga OFW at the start of quarantine period para po bago matapos 'yung 14-day quarantine period ay may resulta na kung positive o negative," he said.

PCR-based test kits are considered by the Department of Health as the "gold standard" in testing since these can detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The rapid test kits, on the other hand, measure antibodies and not the viral load itself.

Velasco mentioned that some OFWs who have returned to Cebu City, Iloilo, and Bacolod were later tested positive for COVID-19.

The government official also claimed that some OFWs were not subjected to the mandatory quarantine, contrary to the stand of the national government that all returning Filipino workers must undergo the 14-day isolation period.

"Mayroon pong OFWs na nakabalik na po na di nagdadaan sa [quarantine]. 'Yun po ang pagkaalam namin dahil hindi naman po sila 'yung kasama doon sa efforts ng government na makabalik sa bansa," Velasco said.

Velasco said the matter has been affecting the efforts of various local government units in curbing the spread of the virus in their respective areas.

"Naaapektuhan ang sitwasyon sa kaniya-kaniyang lalawigan, malaking komplikasyon dito, 'yung ilang dumadating na OFWs ay positibo,” Velasco said.

Earlier, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año ordered the creation of desks to cater to the needs of returning OFWs amid the health crisis.

Año said an OFW desk officer should coordinate with the local chief executive some relevant information about the arriving OFWs, noting that the desk officers must strictly monitor the health status of the OFWs.

The Department of Foreign Affairs has said more or less 20,000 OFWs are undergoing mandatory quarantine in Metro Manila as of May 3. —AOL, GMA News