Luz patients tested anew sans results of prior tests

CEBU, Philippines —  Even if results of prior COVID-19 tests have yet to be released, 44 asymptomatic patients isolated at the barangay isolation center (BIC) in Barangay Luz, Cebu City underwent testing anew.

Of the 44, 24 are from batch 1 and 20 from batch 3.

One of 24 patients, who have been staying at the BIC for around 50 days now, said they were re-swabbed on Friday without knowing the results of their prior rapid and swab tests.

“I re-swab nalang daw mi aron sure ingon sa doctor. Wala’y klaro ug way explanation og naunsa na to ang rapid test sauna,” the patient said.

After the testing, the patients were reportedly told to wait for at least six days to get their results.

“Wa mi choice kun di maghuwat gihapon,” said another patient.

The patient said the second and third batches were retested mid-May.

But only results of batch 2 came in last May 28. On the same day, the patients were released without certificate indicating that they are free from the coronavirus disease.

Patients from batch 1, on the other hand, were subjected to rapid and swab tests on May 18 after they were again tested for the virus in a subsequent test. Just like those of the third batch, their results remain unavailable.

At present, the BIC houses 49 patients, including five new admissions on Friday night.

Moreover, the patients have been complaining of the “spoiled and half-cooked” food reportedly given by the city government.

“Kun di pan-os, hilaw ang pagkaon. Ang pamahaw pud sukad-sukad itlog ug hotdog ra gyud. Maayo na lang kun naay silingan mohatag namo og lutuon diri,” the patient said.  KQD (FREEMAN)