GOVERNOR Eugenio Jose Lacson confirmed Sunday, March 29, the first laboratory confirmed case for coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Negros Occidental [excluding Bacolod City] and the 15th in Western Visayas.
In a press conference Sunday, Lacson said the Covid-19 patient is a 41-year-old female from Barangay 1, E.B. Magalona and is hypertensive and asthmatic. She is now recovering in a Hospital.
Lacson said the patient has travel history in Davao and has been to Manila and Negros Occidental.
She was with the last flight of an airline from Manila to Negros Occidental on March 14 where everybody in that flight were declared as persons under monitoring (PUM).
She went on self-quarantine and stayed at a clubhouse. On March 23, she has been admitted to the hospital for cough and difficulty in breathing and swab was taken from her on March 24.
Lacson said the patient is ready to be released from the hospital and is only waiting for the swab for the second laboratory examination as part of the protocol of the Department of Health for Covid-19 patients.
Per report of the Department of Health in Western Visayas as of March 28, newly-confirmed Covid-19 were three with one in Bacolod City, one in Negros Occidental and one in Iloilo.
The new confirmed patient in Bacolod City is a 28-year old male with travel history in the United States, DOH-Western Visayas record further showed.
Bacolod City has now five confirmed cases but the first patient now tested negative on repeat swab test.
Meanwhile, Lacson also said Sunday, March 29, that Barangay 1, E.B Magalona will be considered a "Hot Zone" considering that there is already a positive Covid-19 case in the area. A 200-meter radius will be strictly observed and that the government will provide for the food supply of the community.
Lacson said health authorities advise the public to stay away from "Hot Zones" to avoid Covid-19 contamination and spread.