A 29-YEAR-OLD female from Tarangnan, Samar became the 20th confirmed case of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Eastern Visayas on Monday, May 11.
Dr. Minerva Molon, Department of Health (DOH) regional director, said the patient is a close contact of two other Covid-19 cases from the same town.
Her result was the only positive among the 89 samples that arrived on Monday from Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City.
Of the 88 negative samples collected, 66 were from Samar, eight from Leyte, six from Tacloban City, five from Southern Leyte, and three from Biliran, according to Molon.
“Included in these results are the third sample of patient EV-3 and patient EV-4 from Tarangnan, both already negative. They are now fully recovered from the virus and be reintegrated into the community,” Molon said.
“Some police officers exposed from the confirmed cases were also tested and had negative results. The local chief executives and health personnel who were close contacts of patient EV-14 from Catbalogan City, Samar were also negative for the virus,” the health official added.
However, a total of 106 swab samples are still pending at the sub-national laboratory in Cebu.
“As we increase our testing capacity and specimen collection, it is expected that our cases will also increase, especially in Tarangan, Samar. Please help us contain the spread of the virus and flatten the curve by staying at home and do all precautionary measures,” said Molon in a statement.
She added that the waiting time for the test results will be shorter starting May 11, following the formal opening of the first Covid-19 testing center set up at the old Eastern Visayas Medical Center in Tacloban City. (SunStar Philippines)