2 Call Center Agents Named as New Covid Cases in Sorsogon

Sorsogon health officials identified today two call center agents from Metro Manila as positive for the Covid-19 virus which they contracted from co-passengers in a rented jeepney bound for the province last July 16, 2020.

The two locally stranded individuals (LSIs) tested positive of the virus while staying at a quarantine facility in Bulan, Sorsogon, the Provincial Health Office said.

Governor Chiz Escudero identified the two LSIs as Veronica Brusola Honrubia, 23 years old of Barangay Zone 7 Iraya, and Joan Argulles Hona, 23 years old of Barangay Lajong, both from Bulan town. Honrubia registered as Bicol Patient No. 391 and Hona registered as Bicol Patient No. 392 voluntarily signed a waiver to make public their names for local authorities to locate the other individuals they have close contact with.

Honrubia and Hona had close contact with five individuals who were recently tested to be Covid positive. They arrived in Sorsogon onboard a rented jeepney last July 16, together with Liezl B. Amante, 39 years old and her son Russel Amante, 16 years old; Albert Rosales, 15 years old; John Paul Escarcha, 21 years old, and Arha Flor Gabelo, 23 years old.

Upon arriving in Sorsogon, the group was initially processed at the Cabid-an Quarantine Processing Unit. Honrubia and Hona were then transferred to Bulan High School where they were quarantined while the five others were referred to the Matnog quarantine facility. On the sixth day of their quarantine, Honrubia underwent RTK test or rapid test where she tested negative for the virus and was allowed to do home quarantine. Hona stayed at the quarantine facility while waiting for her turn to undergo rapid test.

According to PHO Sorsogon, Hona immediately alerted the health worker at the Bulan High School upon receiving information that the five individuals they travelled with to Sorsogon tested positive for the virus. Honrubia, likewise, returned to the Bulan High School Quarantine Facility and both were transferred to a provincial government health facility where RTK/PCR test or swab test were conducted where both yielded positive results for the COVID19 virus. (SPIO)