MARAWI CITY (PIA) – The number of confirmed cases for the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues to rise in Lanao del Sur province.
As of September 15, the Integrated Provincial Health Office (IPHO) reported a total of 441 confirmed COVID-19 cases. Of this number, 15% or 65 are active cases.
IPHO Chief Dr. Alinader Minalang said 39 of the 65 cases are in Marawi City distributed in 17 barangays. “The other 26 cases are from the different municipalities of Lanao del Sur with Malabang having the highest number of positive cases followed by Ditsaan Ramain and Marantao,” he added.
24 of the active cases are asymptomatic, 38 are with mild symptoms, one moderate, one severe, and one critical.
Recoveries, on the other hand, are reported at 355 or 80% of the confirmed cases. But the number of deaths also increased to 21 bringing the case fatality rate to 5%.
With this, Minalang appealed to every resident of Lanao del Sur and Marawi City to help and contribute in controlling the spread of COVID-19 by observing the minimum health standards like wearing of face mask and face shield, frequent handwashing, social distancing, proper cough etiquette, avoiding mass gatherings and staying at home as much as possible.
These simple doable measures, he said, are important mechanisms to prevent further transmission and spread of the virus.
He also encouraged those with close contact to confirmed positive COVID-19 cases to isolate and inform health authorities at their respective barangay, municipal or city levels.
“While those having symptoms like fever, cough, and difficulty of breathing are encouraged to contact any health worker or just dial our health hotlines for appropriate advice and referral,” he further said.
The IPHO chief also reminded residents not to hide their health condition or worry about being mislabelled as COVID-19 case. “By not informing the health authorities, you are putting your family and the general population at risk of unknowingly getting the virus,” he added.
According to Minalang, honesty is important in the fight against COVID-19.
“Only when we all cooperate, work as one, fight as one can we confidently surpass this pandemic,” said Minalang. (APB/PIA-ICIC)
