THE eight confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Ormoc City are “all asymptomatic and in isolation,” a city councilor said on Wednesday, June 10.
Lalaine Marcos, chairperson of the committee on media and information and communication technology, said they are going to extend the isolation period to another seven days to those who tested positive to ensure that the virus will be eliminated from their body.
“It does not matter kinsa ni sila, unsa ni sila, gikan ni sila diin. Both are male and in their late 30s. They are well, alive, and kicking,” said Marcos, following the report on the two new Covid-19 cases in the city on Wednesday. The patients can be discharged only after testing negative in their repeat RT-PCR test, according to Marcos. Earlier, the City Government of Ormoc announced that they have brought in 113 “properly coordinated” returnees from Cebu City.
“This is the result of a well managed and processed repatriates. They were rapid tested before checking in the shipping line. An Waray provided the testing booths complete with medical staff,” it said in a Facebook post dated June 7. "Once they reached the port of Ormoc, they were given a choice whether to stay in a quarantined hotel or the managed quarantine of the local government unity using brand new National Housing Authority (NHA) units.
All of them rode in a sanitized vehicle with staff wearing complete Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to avoid possible contamination from Covid,” it added.
Ormoc Mayor Richard Gomez has assured the public that they welcome returning residents to the city while emphasizing the strict observance of health protocols, proper documentation, and prior coordination.
For swift contact tracing, Ormoc will also launch the use of SAFE Ormoc QR Code Application on Friday, June 12. Residents can register by visiting www.safeormoc.today through their smartphone.
According to the Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas, the two new Covid-19 cases in Ormoc are locally stranded individuals who arrived from Cebu last May 30, 2020.
Meanwhile, Gomez administered the wedding of four couples on Wednesday amid the Covid-19 cases in the city. “Despite the current pandemic situation, there should still be a reason to celebrate love,” the City Government said. (SunStar Philippines)