Cebu City ‘now has 19 Covid cases’

NINETEEN new confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases were recorded in Cebu City, the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH 7) reported Saturday, March 28, 2020.

Sixteen are admitted in hospitals, two died and one recovered.

The DOH 7 also reported two new confirmed cases in Lapu-Lapu City, one in Cebu Province, and one in Negros Oriental, who died on March 23 yet.

This brings the total number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region to 26.

Twenty are currently admitted, four have died, and two have recovered.

The DOH 7 initially reported three confirmed cases, including one who was admitted to the Chong Hua Hospital in Mandaue City, the 60-year-old female Chinese national who had a travel history in Bohol and recovered and the patient in Dumaguete City who died last March 15, 2020.

The DOH 7 said the new mortalities had preexisting medical conditions and were more than 60 years old.

The DOH 7 said they expect the number of cases to go up when their additional laboratory becomes operational.

On Friday, March 27, the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center sub-national laboratory in Cebu City was authorized by the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa City to release official results after the former passed the validation requirement set by the RITM.

“We ask the public not to panic as containment measures have already been in place in coordination with the respective local government units and the local police of the confirmed cases,” said DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas.

“We call upon the communities that may be the residence of confirmed cases to not panic and be violent against their contacts and their household,” he said.

The DOH 7 reminded the public to practice social distancing, wash their hands regularly, avoid crowds and avoid sharing unverified information.

On Saturday morning, the Cebu City Government distributed 1,000 personal protective equipment (PPE) such as goggles, masks and protective suits to members of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO).

Mayor Edgardo Labella turned over the PPEs during their send-off ceremony at the Plaza Sugbo, an hour before the entire city was placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) at noon up until noon of April 28.

Chief of Regional Staff Police Colonel Lemuel Obon also told the CCPO personnel what to do when they return to their respective houses.

Obon reminded them to exercise maximum tolerance in dealing with the public.

“Once again we are on the ground to serve and protect the citizenry,” the police official said. “We have been separated temporarily from our families, our loved ones, just to perform our duty. Exposing ourselves in order that others will live. Exposing ourselves on the threat of the virus. You inform your loved ones, our families, that we cannot go home yet because of the call of duty.”

Labella thanked the police personnel who are sacrificing their lives to implement the ECQ.

“I will pray that we will conquer this invisible enemy and you will go back to the arms of your loving wife, hug and kiss your children and tell them you did your part in fighting this enemy for their future and the generations to come,” the mayor said.

According to the latest Covid-19 case bulletin by the DOH, the total number of cases in the country was 1,075, as of 4 p.m. Saturday, March 28, after 272 new cases were reported.

The DOH also reported 14 more deaths, bringing the death toll from the disease to 68.

Seven were female and seven were male. The youngest was 60 and the oldest was 86. All mortalities suffered either from a heart condition or renal disease.

Four new recoveries were also announced, bringing the total number of recoveries to 35. The four patients were all asymptomatic. / WBS / JJL / HTD

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