Central Visayas Health Exec Says Last Person in Etihad Flight Found, Quarantined

The last person aboard the April 15 Etihad Airlines Flight EY 424 who could be infected with the dreaded Middle East Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was finally located and quarantined, a health official said.

But Dr. Expedito Medalla, Department of Health (DOH)-7 Emergency Management Staff chief, said he has yet to get feedback from his personnel who spoke with the person.

The person was already tested for MERS-CoV infection.

Medalla also said all 22 passengers in Central Visayas who have been examined were released from private and public hospitals where they were quarantined after they were found negative of the MERS-CoV.

He said Cebuanos should not worry because Cebu is still considered MERS-CoV-free.

“Actually, there’s nothing to fear but we just want to be cleared as far as the list of passengers is concerned. It is still better to be sure, because it might turn out there was really an infected passenger,” Medalla said.

He said DOH is still closely monitoring sea ports and airports on the entry of passengers from MERS-CoV-affected areas.

He said people arriving from the Middle East would still undergo scanning.

As this developed, the Cebu City Council has passed a resolution tasking the City Health Department (CHD) to train all barangay health workers on how to detect MERS-CoV infection.

The resolution, sponsored by Cebu City Councilor Alvin Dizon, asked the “CHD to train all barangay health workers in the city on how to detect MERS-CoV so that they can immediately take the appropriate action to prevent the spread of the disease.” (PNA)
LGI/EB

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