A CEBU City official who is in hot water for posting reports on social media about three persons who died in a hospital due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) feels relieved.
“This is an affirmation of my earlier statement that Cebu is not spared from this pandemic,” said City Councilor Prisca Niña Mabatid, referring to the current number of Covid-19 cases in Cebu City.
On Saturday, March 28, 2020, the Department of Health (DOH) in Central Visayas reported 19 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in Cebu City.
Of the 19 new cases, 16 were admitted, two died and one recovered, contrary to the statement Mabatid posted on her Facebook account on March 22.
“Namatay na lang, wa pa gihapon na-test (They died without getting tested). It can be Covid or it can be not. Imagine pila na kaha kabuok positive (how many already have the virus). More than 10 that are in the hospital now,” she wrote.
She also urged the public to stay inside their houses to prevent the spread of the virus.
Mabatid said she expects the number of cases to continue “to spike in the days to come.”
The DOH is following a protocol in divulging information to the public.
Results from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine in Muntinlupa are sent to DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III. From him, these will be sent to the DOH regional directors who are authorized to disclose the information.
Earlier, DOH 7 Director Jaime Bernadas reminded the public to refrain from sharing unverified and unvalidated information to avoid causing panic. (JJL)