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OFW in Cotabato exposed to 1st UK variant patient isolated

By Edwin Fernandez

January 27, 2021, 10:21 am

<p>Ministry of Health – BARMM officer-in-charge Dr. Amirel Usman <em><strong>(Photo courtesy of BIO-BARMM)</strong></em></p>

Ministry of Health – BARMM officer-in-charge Dr. Amirel Usman (Photo courtesy of BIO-BARMM)

COTABATO CITY – Health authorities here have confirmed that an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) from this city was traced by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for his possible exposure to the first Filipino who has contracted the B.1.1.7 SARS-CoV-2 (United Kingdom) variant. 

He is under isolation and has been given a swab test, Dr. Ameril Usman, officer-in-charge of the Ministry of Health of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which covers Cotabato City, said in a radio interview on Wednesday.

Usman said health officials are monitoring the OFW closely, although he has not shown any symptoms of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and appeared healthy.

“According to our surveillance officer, he is on quarantine and still waiting for the official result. If he turned out positive, that will be the time we will send genetic sequencing to Manila,” he said.

The OFW is one of the last two passengers exposed to the first Covid-19 UK variant patient in the country and was traced by National Bureau of Investigation operatives on Tuesday.

He was among the passengers of United Arab Emirates Flight EK 332 that arrived in Manila on January 7. He returned home on January 8.

Usman said the OFW’s close family members are also quarantined and were informed why they have to be isolated. (PNA)

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