1 vendor tests positive; 128 exposed to virus

CEBU, Philippines — Only one of the 294 first batch of vendors in Carbon Market who undergone COVID-19 testing was found positive.

While that may be something to celebrate about, the same test found out that 128 of those tested or 47.2 percent were IgG positive but IgM negative. This means that they have previous exposure to the virus.

“What (does) this imply? It only tells us that the probability that these persons had previous exposure to coronavirus is already there.  This exposure based on the IgG, will tell us also that they had recovered from their exposure,” said DOH’s Chief Pathologist Dr. Mary Jean Loreche.

This pooled testing was conceptualized in July as part of the DOH surveillance initiative, but only pushed through now due to other pressing COVID-19 matters.

The DOH, along with the EOC, has selected Carbon Market due to its population, being the busiest public market.

The first batch of vendors had undergone screening last September 30 at Carbon Market’s parking lot.

There are two methods used in the testing, the RT-PCR and the RDT or rapid diagnostic test commonly-known as the antibody test.

The vendor who tested positive was already extracted by the EOC’s extraction team, its household locked down, while the test of the other family members is now processed.

The city has also given them food assistance while being locked down.

The second batch saw 266 vendors taking the test and all of them were found negative.

The third batch has 279 samples taken yesterday, with the results expected today.

Today will also be the last day of the pooled testing in Carbon Market.

It is only when all the test results are submitted that they could already make their final conclusion.

Even as it has not yet been concluded, it was already agreed that the public market will also have its own Health Infection and Prevention Control Officer. — GAN (FREEMAN)