A TOP health official in Eastern Visayas has asked the public to pray instead of stigmatizing those who are infected with the deadly coronavirus disease (Covid-19) following the second positive case in the region.
"We ask the public to give deep understanding to these two patients and to the patients under investigation (PUIs) as they go through this health crisis. Please pray for their deliverance from physical suffering," said Dr. Minerva Molon, regional director of the Department of Health (DOH).
The health official appealed to the people to refrain from posting unnecessary information toward the patients, saying the virus does not discriminate and anyone can be infected.
"We will never know who the next victim will be. It might be you or your loved ones especially if you will not practice social or physical distancing," Molon said.
As of Thursday, April 2, the second Covid-19 patient from Calbayog City has remained in stable condition after he was transferred to the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center in Tacloban City.
The 63-year-old patient also has diabetes, hypertension, and asthma. He has a travel history from Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, DOH said the second sample taken from the first confirmed Covid-19 patient already tested negative for the virus.
The patient, a resident of Catarman, Northern Samar, was discharged from the referral hospital with advice for 14-day home quarantine for further observation.
Also, no local transmission from the first confirmed case was reported in Northern Samar since all contacts with swab samples were found negative.
As of Thursday, April 2, the number of PUIs in the region remains at 400.
Across the country, the total number of Covid-19 cases is now at 2,633, with 51 recoveries and 107 deaths. (SunStar Philippines)