CAMIGUIN (PIA)—Following the first positive coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 report in the province, Gov. Jurdin Jesus Romualdo announced, April 4 at around 10:00 PM, that the local government unit (LGI) along with the authorized health workers are conducting contact tracing and have been strictly following the protocol in handling the patient.
The 32-year old patient experienced sneezing when she arrived from Manila, where she attended a training, but was thoroughly handled from her point of arrival to her residence in Mahinog, Camiguin.
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Grechen Cabalang said when the patient arrived in the province, “Gidisinfect diretso ang iyang gisakyan ug gilimit ang iyang contact. Ang nagtabo namo naka-mask ug diretso gi-isolate sa ilang balay. Even ang iyang pamilya gi-inform na daan sa protocol.”
(The vehicle used was disinfected immediately and contact was limited. Those who fetched us wore tjeir masks and the patient was immediately isolated in their house. Even her family was informed ahead of time on the protocol)
The test was conducted within the patient’s 14-day quarantine period and results were obtained on the 21st day of quarantine from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). Only one test was conducted, Cabalang said.
Known with an asthmatic case, the patient was immediately referred for testing because of her exposure to a COVID-19 positive patient in Manila aside from her sneezing symptom. The test was conducted at Camiguin General Hospital.
“Kung mag-follow lang gyud sa protocol nga mao ra sad ang gibuhat diri sa Camiguin, dili gyud angay mabalaka ang katawhan. Dili pud ni siya dad-on sa NMMC (If we just follow the protocol, which what we are doing here in Camiguin, people need not worry. The patient will not be brought to Northern Mindanao Medical Center),” Cabalang said.
As of writing, the LGU is waiting for the official statement and announcement from the Department of Health (DOH).
Romualdo said while they are exerting efforts to contain the disease, he reminded the residents to stay home and limit activities such as buying commodities to the market. (RTP/PIA10)
