6 passengers from India test positive for COVID-19

The Department of Health (DoH) said that six passengers from India, who arrived in the Philippines before the imposition of the travel ban, have tested positive for COVID-19.

DoH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that the swab samples of the six travelers were forwarded to the Philippine Genome Center (PGC) to determine if there is a presence of the B.1.617 variant, which was first detected in India.

Vergeire said that more than 100 passengers from India arrived in the Philippines before the travel ban was imposed on April 29. The travel ban will be until May 14.

“As to these Indian travelers that were quarantined upon arrival here before the restrictions were imposed, 110 po sa kanila ay nagkaroon na ng pagsusuri or pagte-test. Anim turned out to be positive and it is now submitted to the Philippine Genome Center for whole genome sequencing,” said Vergeire in a press briefing.

The Health official said that they are still locating the whereabouts of six other passengers.