THE Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas confirmed on Sunday, June 14, 2020, the local transmission of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in three local government units (LGUs) in the region.
Dr. Minerva Molon, director of DOH-Eastern Visayas, identified the three LGUs as Tacloban City, La Paz, and Hilongos, all in Leyte.
“At this stage of localized transmission, we should intensify contact tracing, mandatory admission of those who arrived in the Region in the Community Isolation Unit, improved hospital preparedness, and enhance Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (Sari) surveillance,” Molon said.
According to the health official, the recent confirmed cases have no recent travel history except for the locally stranded individual (LSI) or no exposure to a confirmed case of Covid-19.
Molon also reminded the health workers to take extra precautionary measures at all times.
"You may be the key in stopping the transmission but it could also be you who can spread and accelerate this transmission if you do not adhere to the standard measures. This is not the time to be complacent. Always consider yourself a carrier and those people around you," Molon said.
In La Paz town alone, the cases include some health workers, an ambulance driver, a pension house caretaker, residents and an LSI.
In Tacloban, another health worker stationed in a health facility in La Paz also contracted the disease.
But Molon said they are pouring all the efforts in managing the surge of Covid-19 cases.
“This is a signal to all LGUs and health workers that they should be ready to implement our planned response measures,” said Molon.
As of Sunday, June 14, the region has 200 confirmed Covid-19 cases. (SunStar Philippines)