The Department of Health (DOH) on Friday said that sequencing results of the 12 samples of tourists who tested Covid positive in Palawan are expected to be released by next week.
“Of the 15, 12 samples were eligible for sequencing and were sent to RITM (Research Institute for Tropical Medicine),” the DOH said.
A mini cruise line with 18 Filipino crew members arrived at the Puerto Princesa City Port last April 22, 2022.
Twenty five foreign tourists boarded the ship the next day for a diving exploration in Tubbataha Reef.
Three days after departure, one foreigner was reported to have nasal congestion and was tested using a Covid-19 antigen test, which returned positive.
“This incident was immediately reported to the port by the ship’s captain and, they were advised to return to the city for immediate management,” the DOH said.
The index case’s identified close contacts were the other foreign nationals in the group and a local.
The local close contact reported mild symptoms of cough and colds the next day, and turned positive using antigen test. The other passengers were also tested with antigen kits and yielded positive the day after.
Upon arrival at the port, all crew members and passengers were tested using RT-PCR.
Fourteen foreign tourists and 1 local tested positive last April 29.
Of these 15, 5 reported mild symptoms, including the 2 prior symptomatic individuals, but all are now asymptomatic.
“All cases were isolated at a facility, with 5 already tested negative and discharged, while 7 will be for discharge today (May 6). All were fully vaccinated,” the DOH said.