DOH contacts 92% of passengers of UK COVID-19 variant carrier

The Department of Health (DoH) has successfully contacted 92 percent of the co-passengers of a Filipino who tested positive for a new COVID-19 variant.

Out of 159 passengers on Emirates Flight EK 332 from Dubai to Manila, 146 have been reached, although 13 individuals are still not responding.

Of the 146 contacted passengers, 125 have been swabbed, and actions have been taken for their coordination.

Some of these passengers are undergoing quarantine in isolation facilities, while others are allowed to home quarantine.

The DoH is urging the remaining non-cooperative passengers to coordinate with authorities, citing Republic Act 11332 which mandates cooperation during public health emergencies.

The male patient who tested positive for the UK COVID-19 variant is under quarantine and being monitored in Quezon City, with his five close household contacts also isolated and tested.