DAVAO ORIENTAL – All of the 116 individuals who consist the first two batches rescued through the provincial government’s Oplan Sundo Program have tested negative for the coronavirus disease.

This was confirmed earlier today by the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 Action Officer Dr. Reden Bersaldo following the arrival of the test results from the Southern Philippines Medical Center subnational testing laboratory.

He said these individuals served by Oplan Sundo have arrived in the province on May 1 and May 4 and as per standard protocol were immediately subjected to swab testing upon their arrival.

Dr. Bersaldo said that specimens taken from the individuals who were rescued from Davao City were sent to the testing center within 24 hours after swab testing.

Meanwhile, the third batch of the Oplan Sundo is consisted of 61 individuals and are currently under strict isolation and monitoring in their respective city or municipality while awaiting swab testing.

With the health and security protocols being strictly implemented under the Oplan Sundo, the Provincial Task Force on COVID-19 deemed it proper to make it as the only way for residents to enter the province.

“We cannot afford to just allow anybody to enter the province since all those we are allowed entry are being quarantined and tested,” said Dr. Bersaldo, noting that the province has a limited number of quarantine facilities and manpower compared to the volume of individuals who wish to go home.

As of press time, 56 out of the 62 suspected COVID-19 individuals have tested negative while the remaining still await results.

Meanwhile, out of the total 119 Persons Under Monitoring (PUM) who were tested, including those covered by the Oplan Sundo, 88 have tested negative while 33 still await results.

All these suspected cases and PUMs are under strict monitoring through the Provincial Epidemiology Surveillance Unit together with its counterparts in the city and municipalities.  (PIO-kld)