About 24 swab samples from the contact tracing of the medical technologists’ contacts for the polumerase chain reaction (PCR) test have been sent to Cebu according to Dr. Cesar Tomas Lopez, the spokesman of the Technical Working Group (TWG) on new and emerging diseases.

Lopez made the statement during Monday’s (May 18 virtual presser).

He said the 24 swab samples are from the immediate family members of the two medical technologists who tested positive for the Covid infection.

Additionally, Lopez said that contact tracing was conducted by the Provincial Health Office (PHO).

All of the family members of the medical technologists are healthy, he said.

Moreover, about 51 samples from the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) billeted at The Story resort in Panglao were also sent together with six swab specimens from the health workers who attended to the needs of the OFWs.

Lopez said that all of the OFWs are well and no one has exhibited any symptoms for COVID-19.

Lopez added that the OFW who tested positive for Covid was never examined by any personnel from the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH). Only personnel from the PHO and the Department of Health had contact with the infected OFW.

Meantime, GCGMH chief of hospital Dr. Mutya Kismet Macuno assures the public that the hospital remains safe.

She added that she is going to be the first one to tell the public if the hospital is unsafe.

She made the reaction following the concerns of the public as news of two medical technicians from the said hospital tested positive for the Covid infection.