Over a dozen new Covid-19 cases reported in Zamboanga

ZAMBOANGA CITY – Over a dozen prisoners released recently from jail have tested positive for the novel coronavirus or Covid-19 bringing to 109 the number of infected in Zamboanga City.

The local task force on infectious diseases headed by Mayor Beng Climaco said those who were tested positive from the deadly respiratory disease were all part of 60 released prisoners now in quarantine at a local hotel.

“Health authorities reported 13 additional Covid-19 positive cases for Zamboanga City based on results from the GeneXpert (molecular) tests conducted at the Zamboanga City Medical Center. There are still 31 with pending results,” the task force said in a bulletin.

“From the city jail - the epicenter of Covid-19 in Zamboanga - they were brought to a private hotel for the 14-day quarantine as part of the protocol before they are sent home to prevent possible spread of infection. This recent development underscores the importance of mandatory quarantine and testing for newly released PDLs (people deprived of liberty) to ensure they will not infect their families and their respective communities,” it added.

Just early this week, the task force reported that 35 prisoners and jail guards were also tested positive for Covid-19.

Last week, a 61-year old female detainee tested positive for the virus died and became the 3^rd prisoner to succumb to the deadly respiratory disease. There are now over 6 dozen prisoners and jail guards infected with the virus. But the number of infected prisoners is expected to increase as more Covid-19 test results come out.

The local government has been effective in controlling the Covid-19 pandemic because of the early imposition of the enhanced community quarantine and continued information campaign in villages. 

And Dr Justin Paber, a spokesman for the Zamboanga City Medical Center, said the last reported single community transmission of the virus was early in April and Covid-19 is now concentrated at the jail.

It was unknown how the prisoners contracted the virus since the penitentiary has been off limits to visitors since the start of the enhanced community quarantine in March. 

But there were suspicions that jail guards who were unaware they had been infected with the disease may have spread the Covid-19 to prisoners. Had jail officials been strict with the quarantine guidelines at the penitentiary, the spread of Covid-19 may have been prevented. Zamboanga still has over 700 suspected Covid-19 cases. (Zamboanga Post)

Like Us on Facebook: The Mindanao Examiner
Like Us on Facebook: The Zamboanga Post
Follow Us on Twitter: Mindanao Examine
Mirror Site: Mindanao Examiner Blog
Digital Archives: Mindanao Examiner Digital
Media Rates: Advertising Rates