QC probes convents virus surges

The Quezon City government is undertaking massive contact tracing following the Covid-19 outbreak at the Religious of the Virgin Mary Convent in Cubao. At least 114 individuals associated with the convent tested positive for the virus.

Fifty staff members and 64 nuns were afflicted by the virus, according to city health officials. None of the nuns had been vaccinated.

According to city health official Dr. Rolando Cruz, his team became aware of the outbreak after data from a testing laboratory came in.

The convent had been locked down since 14 September with police manning its gates.

“We didn’t swab them. They tested others and when the result came out in the laboratory, it was recorded in the surveillance data,” Cruz said.

He said they are investigating whether outsiders have come in contact with the staff and nuns.

Another religious institution in the city, the Convent of the Holy Spirit had 22 of its 90 residents testing positive for the virus. The convent had also been locked down.

Mayor Joy Belmonte has directed close monitoring of facilities like convents, nursing homes for the aged, rehabilitation centers, shelters for street children and halfway homes.