HEALTH authorities in Negros Oriental said one of the 16 positive cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) announced by the Department of Health (DOH) Wednesday, March 11, is in Dumaguete City.

Dr. Liland Estacion, Negros Oriental Integrated Provincial Health Office assistant officer, said the patient, a 65-year-old person, tested positive for the new virus Wednesday.

The patient traveled to Metro Manila for a meeting on February 28 and arrived in Dumaguete via a Philippine Airlines flight last March 1.

Estacion said the patient was initially admitted at the Ace Dumaguete Doctors Hospitals in Barangay Daro, Dumaguete City on March 7 but was transferred to Silliman University Medical Center reportedly upon the request of the family.

The patient is currently in isolation and is experiencing severe pneumonia. He is on a ventilator, said Estacion.

She said they are currently conducting contact tracing to identify those who may have had contact with the patient.

The DOH and local government unit are also checking on the flight manifest of the Philippine Airlines flight from Manila to Dumaguete.

Estacion urged passengers who may have been with the patient to surrender themselves to health authorities for examination if they manifest flu-like symptoms.

Dr. Socrates Villamor, head of the Department of Health’s Dumaguete office, said despite the patient's condition, the 62-year-old cannot be considered a case of "local transmission."

But Villamor assured that they are prepared in case of a local transmission.

Health officials in the province urged the public to remain calm. (JKV)