By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Field Office in Bacolod City was closed down for five days beginning yesterday morning after five of its staff tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19.

NBI-Bacolod chief, Atty. Renoir Baldovino, said the five employees are members of the administrative and clearance staff.

All of them have so far exhibited light symptoms such as coughing and colds. Baldovino said the five have been transported to the city’s quarantine facility for treatment.

The rest of the staff have also undergone swab tests and all of them, including Baldovino, have tested negative for the virus.

Contact tracing had also been launched for those who may have come into contact with the five infected staff members.

Starting yesterday until Friday, January 22, the local NBI head said they will conduct a thorough disinfection of the office, and they are expected to return to work by Monday next week, January 25.

In the meantime, Baldovino advised those trying to get an NBI Clearance to temporarily cancel their plans to visit their office./DGB, WDJ