Macuno: All contacts of 2 Covid infected medtechs are “negative” per PCR test 

The chief of hospital of the Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH) reports that all “first generation” contacts of the two medical technologists who earlier tested positive for Covid, have negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results.

In a report, Dr. Mutya Kismet Macuno said that she obtained the test results of the first generation contacts of the two medical technologists as early as last weekend.

The two medical technologists were deployed to Cebu for training as part of the operation of the molecular PCR laboratory inside the GCGMH.

However, Macuno failed to mention how many persons were contact traced and how many took the swab test.

Based on earlier reports, Macuno bared that most of those contract traced belonging to the “first generation” are family members of the two medical technologists.

Macuno said that the test results reinforce her hypothesis that the medical technologists’ infection is not local. The medical technologists are likely to have contracted the virus in Cebu, Macuno contended.

Macuno’s hypothesis ran counter to the belief of her boss, Department of Health (DOH) regional director Jaime Bernadas, who said that it is “highly probable” that the medical technologists contracted the virus in Bohol.

Macuno, in an interview over Open Forum last week, denied any personal conflict with Bernadas even with the contrasting statements on the matter. She issued the statement leading to her conclusion that it is media who makes news items confusing.

Moreover, the two medical technologists are under quarantine and have remained asymptomatic, Macuno said.

In the said Open Forum radio interview last week, Macuno said that the two medical technologists were able to complete the training for the operation of the PCR laboratory.

In this connection, Sec. Carlito Galvez of the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF), on Saturday, May 23 gave the province a PCR machine that will be detailed at the GCGMH laboratory.

According to Galvez, a minimum of three PCR laboratories are planned for Bohol. One of these will be dedicated to the testing of passengers arriving through the international airport in Panglao.