The Western Visayas region has recorded its first confirmed case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
A 56-year-old man in Bacolod City tested positive for the dreaded disease, Mayor Evelio Leonaria confirmed on Friday, March 20.
Leonaria said the patient, who had a travel history to London, England, is in “stable condition” and “recovering.”
According to the DOH-6, the patient started manifesting symptoms on March 2. “He experienced sore throat and difficulty of breathing.”
The patient has been admitted to a hospital in the city since March 6. His swab samples were taken and sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila on March 13.
The DOH-6 assured the public that “necessary containment measures are strictly implemented to prevent the possible spread of the virus.”
The agency is now coordinating with the hospital and city government “for intensified contact tracing, and infection and prevention control measures.”
Those who come in contact with the confirmed case were told to “cooperate with health authorities and provide necessary information for proper management.”
“They should undergo voluntary home quarantine for 14 days. Those exhibiting signs and symptoms such as fever, and/or respiratory symptoms occuring 14 days of exposure should submit themselves for medical check-up,” the DOH-6 said.
The man had been listed as one of the five patients under investigation (PUIs) in the city.
The Department of Health (DOH-6), as of March 19, recorded 76 PUIs in the region.
Broken down, 18 in Iloilo province, 13 in Antique, 11 in Iloilo City, 8 in Aklan, 8 in Capiz, 4 in Negros Occidental, 2 in Guimaras, and 2 “others” (PUIs not from the region).IMT
Aerial shot of Bacolod City from Pinterest
