Student repatriated from Davao tests positive in Cotabato City

DAVAO CITY – A student, who had been stranded here due to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine, but repatriated to Cotabato City as recipient of the “Balik Bahay” program, was found to be positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) upon return to his hometown.

This was confirmed by Cotabato City Mayor Cynthia Guiani-Sayadi in her Facebook Live post on Sunday afternoon.

Guiani-Sayadi said the patient was included in second batch of students which was fetched here after being stranded due to the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

“I would like to inform the public that we are intensifying our contracttracing and isolation of this COVID-19 positive [patient],” she said.

“Hinihiling ko po ang pang-unawa ng lahat ng mga Cotabateños na sa pagkakataong ito dapat sana mag-cooperate kayo sa local government para mas mapaigtingnatinangmga medical protocols (I am appealing for the understanding of all Cotabateños that at this point they should extend their cooperation to the local government so that we can intensify our medical protocols),” she added.

Cotabato City Health Officer Dr. Meyasser Patadon identified the infected patient as an 18-year-old male.

Patadon said the patient was among the 39 stranded students, who came from Davao City and were immediately subjected to rapid testing.

He said of the 39, four were found positive. Swab samples were immediately taken from them before they were taken to an isolation facility.