TACLOBAN City – A 66-year-old man allegedly shot himself dead after posting a reactive result in a rapid antibody test, a diagnostic tool that produces a quick but inconclusive result for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), in Brgy. Tucdao, Kawayan, Biliran, Thursday.
Kawayan Police chief Lt. Ishmael Corson identified the victim as a retired overseas Filipino worker (OFW).
Initial investigation disclosed that the victim was subjected to a rapid test for COVID-19 which turned reactive last May 1 at the OSPA-Farmers Medical Center in Ormoc City before undergoing a hemodialysis session.
However, since the patients could not allegedly afford the treatment, he was referred back to Biliran Provincial Hospital (BPH) in Naval, Biliran on the same date wherein he posted a non-reactive result.
The victim underwent swab testing for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction or RT-PCR tests on May 2 at BPH, but the result has not yet arrived.
He was advised to undergo a 14-day home quarantine.
Lt. Corson said the victim shot himself in the right temple using a. 357 pistol that caused his death.
The investigator believes that the victim committed suicide due to depression. (Marie Tonette Marticio)
