THE Ministry of Health in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (MOH-Barmm) recorded on Friday, May 22, a new case of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in the region, an official said.
Dr. Saffrullah Dipatuan, Minister of Health, said the new case is a 22-year-old male from the town of Datu Saudi Ampatuan, Maguindanao.
Dipatuan said the patient is the 12th confirmed Covid-19 case in Barmm.
Dipatuan said the patient, who is now in a stable condition, is one of the 16 stranded students in Cebu City who availed themselves of the "Balik Probinsiya Program."
Dipatuan noted that all of the students, upon arrival in the province, directly observed strict quarantine.
"They were brought directly to the Maguindanao Provincial Hospital. They weren't allowed to go back to their respective homes," Dipatuan said.
The students are currently quarantined at the isolation facility of Maguindanao Provincial Hospital.
Meanwhile, Bangsamoro Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) on Covid-19 spokesperson Mohd Asnin Pendatun said there is no cause to panic since the patient is stable and was immediately placed on isolation upon arrival.
Pendatun said the MOH-Barmm is on top of the situation and providing adequate medical attention to the patient.
"This however shows that our battle against Covid-19 is far from over, therefore I'd like to once again remind the public to observe the guidelines set by the BIATF. We need everyone's cooperation and understanding," he said.
The MOH-Barmm said the total number of Covid-19 cases in Barmm is now at 12 -- with four deaths, seven recovered, and one currently admitted. (SunStar Zamboanga)