EASTERN Visayas health officials and other agencies have started the contact tracing of people who have been in contact with the first patient infected with coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the region.

Dr. Minerva Molon, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH), said the patient is a 51-year-old female from Northern Samar.

In a press conference on Monday, March 23, Molon said the female patient was supposed to be discharged today, March 23, after 15 days of admission.

When her test result from the Regional Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) came, it turned out to be positive, she said.

But she said the patient is recovering at a referral hospital in the region.

According to the DOH in Manila, 82 new cases of Covid-19 were added Monday, March 23, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the country to 462.

Also, eight more patients had died, bringing the mortality count to 33.

Another patient, however, has recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to 18. (SunStar Philippines)