10 more ex-PDLs in Zamboanga test positive for Covid-19

Ten more former persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) in Zamboanga City have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in the city to 141.

One of the newly positive former PDLs was identified through a genexpert test while the other nine were part of a second batch of freed individuals tested before their release.

All individuals who tested positive have been transferred to an isolation facility to prevent further spread.

The results for 27 other former PDLs are still pending.

Mayor Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar confirmed that the seven new cases are part of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) with release orders from the court who were tested before their release.

Of the 141 total cases, 132 are from the Zamboanga City Reformatory Center (ZCRC), with 114 of those being PDLs or former PDLs and 18 BJMP personnel.

The DA molecular laboratory in Zamboanga City is expected to receive its license to operate next week after receiving a certificate of completion from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM).