Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH-5 director (Photo courtesy of DOH-5)
LEGAZPI CITY – The Department of Health in Bicol region (DOH-5) confirmed on Monday a case of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in an evacuation center in Barangay Gabawan, Daraga town.
In a statement, Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH-5 director, said the confirmed case is an 82-year-old female who is experiencing fever, cough and cold.
"Kasalukuyang naka-isolate at ginagamot ang nasabing pasyente sa Anislag Infirmary, Daraga, Albay (The said patient is currently isolated and being treated at the Anislag Infirmary, Daraga, Albay)," he said.
Vera said the DOH-5 is collaborating with the provincial government of Albay, the local government of Daraga and its health partners in the immediate implementation of contact tracing.
"All close contacts are quarantined and swabbed Monday (June 19). The swab specimens will now be sent to Bicol-South Luzon Sub National Reference Laboratory (BSL-SNRL) and subjected to Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing," he said.
Mayon-affected families now at 5.8K
Meanwhile, the number of families displaced by the unrest of Mayon Volcano is now at 5,813 or 20,049 individuals.
In a media briefing, Albay Governor Edcel Grex Lagman said data from the ground must be followed in reporting the exact number of evacuees.
"We will make sure that the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council (NDRRMC) is apprised of this matter. If we need to talk to Secretary Gilbert Teodoro Jr., we will tell him. The data from the Albay Public Safety Emergency Management Office (APSEMO) must be used. I will make sure that it gets the attention of our secretary," Lagman said after confusion as to the total number of affected families was raised.
The evacuees are residents of 25 barangays in the town of Camalig, Guinobatan, Ligao City, Daraga, Tabaco City, Malilipot and Santo Domingo, all in Albay province.
Safe drinking water
Also on Monday, the Philippine Navy patrol vessel BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) assured the provincial government of Albay of assistance, particularly in providing safe and potable drinking water to Mayon evacuees.
In a press conference in this city, Naval Forces Southern Luzon chief Commodore Joe Anthony Orbe said they are ready to assist the province with regard to the needs of those who have been displaced by volcanic activities.
"When President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Albay last June 14, our secretary of National Defense committed that the Navy will assist as necessary, whatever is needed. The Philippine Navy sends a ship with a capability in humanitarian assistance disaster response that can produce its water. If worst comes to worst, may it be alert level 4 or alert level 5, the Navy can provide from the sea, it can turn salt water to fresh water," Orbe said.
He said BRP Andres Bonifacio (PS-17) can supply 32,000 liters of potable water per day to Albayanos who are temporarily sheltered in various evacuation centers.
"We will be giving the desalinated water through the Albay provincial government and Office of Civil Defense (OCD). The gallons of water were sealed to ensure the safety against bacteria. We make sure that it is protected aside from the recently conducted water test, which it passed and suitable human consumption," he said.
Orbe said aside from the freshwater desalination process, the BRP Andres Bonifacio can also assist the medical, search and rescue operation teams and on personnel and cargo transportation.
He added that if the Mayon Volcano scenario worsens, the vessel can be used as a floating command center for the provincial government of Albay.
"The governor and his staff can stay on board. We have communication equipment here; a helicopter can land. This ship can actually sail for 30 days with fuel and food and water. The Navy is committed to rendering assistance at this time," Orbe said.
Lagman thanked the Philippine Navy for extending their assets and capabilities to the provincial government to ensure that the people of Albay are safe amid Mt. Mayon's effusive eruption.
"We know that our Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is for the external security of our nation in times of war, during this time they are here. I want to thank our President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Secretary of National Defense Gilbert Teodoro Jr. We welcome this kind of humanitarian efforts and disaster response," the governor said. (PNA)
