POSITIVE. The Department of Health in Western Visayas, in an advisory, reported nine additional coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive cases in the region. The confirmation brings to 13 the total Covid-19 positive cases in Western Visayas as of Friday (March 27, 2020). (Photo courtesy of DOH-6)
ILOILO CITY – Nine patients in Western Visayas tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) bringing the total confirmed cases of Covid-19 patients in the region to 13, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in the region (DOH-CHD 6) said on Friday.
Based on the health department bulletin, three new cases are from Aklan province, three from Bacolod City, two from Iloilo province, and one from Iloilo City.
The new confirmed case from Iloilo City, a 72-year-old male with a history of travel to Manila, died on March 19, 2020. DOH report cited the patient had fever and cough and died due to "Covid-19, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, and Community-Acquired Pneumonia".
The man is the first Covid-19 positive death among the seven fatalities listed in Western Visayas, Dr. Jane Juanico, infectious disease cluster head of the DOH-CHD 6, told the Philippine News Agency (PNA).
Among the seven deaths, three tested negative, two others with pending results, and no swab specimen was taken from one of the cases, based on the situationer report released by the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council as provided by the DOH on Thursday.
Positive cases in Aklan include an 81-year-old male from Libacao, with history of travel to Manila, a 68-year-old male from Kalibo who also traveled to Manila; and a 37-year-old male from Malay, whose travel and exposure history is yet to be determined.
The two new cases in Bacolod City, a 75-year-old and 40-year-old, are both males and traveled to Manila. The third case from Bacolod City, a 28-year-old male, is the son of the first Covid-19-positive patient in the region.
Meanwhile, a 59-year-old female with no history of exposure to a positive case and no travel history, and a 22-year-old female with history of travel to Manila are the two confirmed cases in Iloilo Province.
Miagao Mayor Macario Napulan, in an interview, said the 22-year-old patient and a town resident took an exam in Manila and came back on March 10. The specimen was collected from the patient on March 20 and the result was released on Friday.
“When she arrived, she stayed in their house. She has experienced cough and mild fever. She sought medical consultation on March 17,” Napulan said.
The mayor continued his appeal to the public to stay home to be safe. “What is important is to stay home. It doesn’t mean that we had one positive case, all people here will be positive,” he said.
“The Provincial Health Office earnestly asks for everyone’s cooperation. The frontline health workers and medical personnel are risking their safety to respond to the needs of the public,” said Dr. Cornelio Cuachon Jr., chief of Aklan Provincial Health office, in a press conference on Friday, as he urged for the strict observance of home quarantine when experiencing mild symptoms of the disease.
The DOH-CHD 6 said the first case of the region, a 56-year-old male from Bacolod City, is in a stable and improved condition. The patient is waiting for a repeat swab test.
The health department has traced the patient’s 17 contacts and all are asymptomatic.
The three other confirmed cases from Iloilo City, Guimbal, Iloilo and Jamindan, Capiz are all in stable condition, according to the DOH advisory. (PNA)
