DAVAO City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio confirmed that one food runner is suspected to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), after he tested positive in the rapid test conducted last week.
Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on Monday, May 11, that the food runner is a Foodpanda worker.
She said the employee will undergo a confirmatory test at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) since the test was done using a rapid test kit, which the mayor deemed unreliable.
"Dili pa ta naga-ingon nga confirmed Covid-19 positive na basta walay (RT-)PCR (reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction) result (We cannot conclude that the patient is Covid-19 positive unless the RT-PCR test would say so)," Duterte-Carpio said in a radio interview on 87.5 FM Davao City Disaster Radio.
She said the patient will immediately be brought to one of the "We Heal As One" quarantine centers while waiting for his swab test result.
"In the meantime, i-assume nalang nato nga positive siya, (we will assume it as a positive case)," the mayor added.
Duterte-Carpio said last week that the City Government would include food delivery runners in the city's Covid-19 case finding efforts.
The mayor said there is a need to test them because they are considered as a possible carrier of the virus.
Meanwhile, she said there is still no decision whether to temporarily suspend all food delivery services following the incident.
The mayor said she would have to consult it with the city's medical consultants.
However, Duterte-Carpio reminded customers to practice safe measures especially things coming from outside their homes.
"Kung mudawat mo og anything nga butang dinha sa sulod sa inyong balay, nga dili organic, meaning gikan siya sa gawas padulong sulod sa inyong balay, please make sure nga kung maggunit mo, manghugas dayon mo og kamot (If you would accept any item outside your residences, make sure you wash your hands immediately)," the mayor said.
SunStar Davao tried contacting the Foodpanda management, but there was no response. The company has yet to issue a statement on the matter.