(PNA GenSan file photo of Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., head of the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office)
GENERAL SANTOS CITY – The number of patients who recovered from the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in South Cotabato province increased to 249 as of Tuesday night and more are expected to get better in the coming days.
This, as the Department of Health-Region 12 reported a total of 34 patients from the province’s 10 towns and lone city to have fully recovered from the disease and recommended for discharge in the last three days.
Due to the additional recoveries, the active Covid-19 cases in the province has decreased to 173 or a recovery rate of about 57 percent based on the recorded 434 confirmed infections since March.
Dr. Rogelio Aturdido Jr., head of the South Cotabato Integrated Provincial Health Office, said in a press conference on Wednesday their data showed that 70 to 80 percent of the infections in the area were mild cases and have recovered.
He said such trend can be seen with the current 173 active cases, wherein 124 or 71 percent are mild while 33 or 19 percent are asymptomatic.
A total of 16 patients or 9.2 percent have severe symptoms while the death rate is only 2.07 percent, he said.
“This shows that Covid-19 is not a death sentence and the chance of recovery is very high. It should not be feared but it is important for everyone to remain vigilant and always protect ourselves,” Aturdido said.
He said residents should sustain strict compliance to health protocols to prevent the disease from further spreading and infect those vulnerable, especially the elderly and with comorbidities.
The official reiterated the wearing of face mask, face shield, regular handwashing and sanitation, and observance of safe physical distancing.
In the case of the province, he said the nine confirmed Covid-19 deaths so far involved patients suffering diabetes, kidney problem, asthma and other illnesses.
Four of the fatalities were from Polomolok, three from Koronadal City and two from Tupi.
Most of these were elderly, the oldest was 89-year-old, and got the infection within their households.
“We can overcome Covid-19 but all of us should do our part. We should protect our households and the vulnerable,” he added. (PNA)
