Food delivery runner positive for Sars-CoV-2

(Image from Unsplash)
(Image from Unsplash)

THE Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) said a food delivery runner has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (Sars-CoV-2).

SPMC chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega said the FoodPanda worker tested positive during the real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test, which detects Sars-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).

“He's positive (for the coronavirus) with RT-PCR. (He is) still admitted,” Vega said.

The patient is currently admitted at Queensland isolation facility, which is designated for patients with mild symptoms.

Vega added the patient is now recovering and asymptomatic and up for another test to check if he is already clear from the viral disease before he will be allowed to return home.

“Right now, he is waiting for the next swab,” Vega added.

In an earlier radio interview, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio said the City Government has included the food delivery runners in the city’s efforts to detect Covid-19 cases.

Considering that they have interaction with various individuals, they are considered as possible carriers of the virus.

The mayor also reminded the public who are availing food delivery services to practice safety measures such as frequent washing of their hands after handling the items coming from the outside of their homes, fearing possible contamination of their orders.

Meanwhile, Vega said that the patient may have acquired a highly-contagious disease while performing his duty.

“Probably (he got it while doing delivery). I think they were all tested for rapid tests and he turned out to be positive,” Vega said.

During the enhanced community quarantine, delivery services were allowed. Their services were widely availed by Dabawenyos since people’s movement has been restricted to only essential purposes such as accessing food and medicine.

As of May 21, the Department of Health (DOH) Davao Center for Health Development reported 13 new cases of Covid-19 all from Davao City bringing the total number of positive cases in the region to 235.

There were also two new recoveries in Davao City, making the total number of recoveries in the region to 119.

Davao City has 213 positive cases with 103 recoveries and 22 deaths as of May 21.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph