Close contacts of a woman who went viral for breaking hotel quarantine for a night out with friends had partied in La Union two days after she tested positive for COVID-19 authorities said Tuesday.Â
Gwyneth Chua's contacts were at Kermit La Union on Dec. 29 for a fundraiser for Typhoon Odette victims, the provincial government of La Union said, citing the Department of Tourism. The site was later inspected for possible breaches in protocol.
As of Tuesday, one from La Union who mingled with Chua's contacts tested positive for COVID-19, the local government said, noting there is no confirmed case of the Omicron variant in the province yet.Â
"The Department of Tourism confirmed that the close contacts of Gwyneth Chua, a confirmed case of COVID-19, declared that they were indeed in La Union and attended the benefit Concert for victims of Typhoon Odette at Kermit La Union on Dec. 29, 2021," the post read.
Kermit-La Union's management and staff were isolated and subjected to RT-PCR Testing.Â
According to a promo of the event that was posted on Instagram, proceeds would be donated to victims of Typhoon Odette in Siargao, "from one surfing community to another".
What went before
Chua reportedly returned to the Philippines from the U.S. and checked into Berjaya Hotel on Dec. 22. She was fetched by her father from the quarantine facility 15 minutes after checking in. The next day, she was seen partying in Poblacion.
Chua returned to the hotel on Christmas night, and underwent RT-PCR test on Dec. 26, yielding a positive result the next day. Four of her close contacts also tested positive.
On Tuesday, Chua, her parents, and several personnel of Berjaya Hotel were charged with a criminal complaint that has a maximum penalty of jail time.
On Wednesday, DOT said it suspended and fined Berjaya Hotel over the breach.Â
