Despite the intensified vaccination drive all over the world, there are still cases of COVID-19. Although these cases are smaller in number compared to the previous year and it is less lethal, getting the virus still draws a huge impact on those who are infected.
Rachelle couldn’t believe what her employer did when she tested positive with COVID-19. According to Rachelle, she was locked inside her room and was not given food to eat on the first day of her isolation. On the second day, she was given a small pack of food and bottled water.
On the night of her second day in isolation, she called the emergency hotline. However, just before the ambulance came, Rachelle was asked by her employer to pack her things
“Ang dami na niyang sinabi na masasakit na salita. Umiiyak na ako, sabi ko sorry talaga maam kasi hindi ko naman pinangarap na magkasakit ng ganito. Hindi ko na talaga matiis yung gutom tapos uhaw na uhaw ako kasi parang nagkaka-ubo na ako ‘nun tapos may sipon,” says Rachelle Famillaran, OFW in Hong Kong.
“You must pack your things, sabi niya. Don’t touch anything,” the OFW added.
Rachelle was also not admitted to the hospital. Instead, she was given some medicine and was asked to return home. But the problem is, her employer refuses to accept Rachelle.
Because of that, Rachelle was forced to sleep on the chairs of the hospital for three nights.
“Naranasan ko po na matulog sa upuan kahit sobrang lamig. Tapos, yung pagkain mo ibubudget mo kasi kailangan mo magpakatatag na antayin yung susundo sa iyo para madala ka sa isolation. Hindi ko lubos maisip na mangyayari sa akin,” says Rachelle.
Rachelle is currently in isolation. She couldn’t help but cry upon thinking about her children and family in Davao City because they are the reason for her sacrifices.
But according to Consul General Raly Tejada, the incident was due to the fear of employers as there is currently an Omicron surge in Hong Kong.
“Nu’ng araw na po na sila po ay sinasabing napabayaan po, natakot daw po ‘yung kanilang mga employers so sila po ay binitawan. Na-overwhelm po ‘yung ospital ng Hong Kong , so almost 90% po ang capacity. Ngunit ngayon po nagdagdag na po sila ng quarantine rooms,” says Consul Tejada.
“Dumating nap o ‘yug mga eksperto mula sa China mainland. Ngayon po ay stable nap o. An gaming hotline po ano, 24/7 hotline po is 9155-4023. Lagi po kaming nakaantabay sa kanilang tawag kung nangangailangan sila ng tulong.”
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