THE Department of Health (DOH)-Eastern Visayas confirmed on Wednesday, June 17, the first coronavirus disease (Covid-19) case in Maasin City, Southern Leyte.
Mayor Nacional Mercado identified the patient as a 26-year-old male and locally stranded individual (LSI) from Cebu City.
He returned to Maasin on board Cokaliong Shipping Lines last June 9, 2020.
“The said LSI actually tested non-reactive after conducting a Rapid Diagnostic Test last June 9, 2020 and so far, he is asymptomatic,” Mercado said.
“In the meantime, we are reminding the public not to panic because the said individual will be moved out from the quarantine facility in Danao to our isolation center and will be closely monitored by our local health personnel, so there is no chance to be in contact with the general public,” he added.
Mercado assured the public that they are “on top of the situation.”
“We will surely exhaust all our efforts and take all the possible measures for the safety and security of all Maasinhons. We have already instructed all our local health personnel and frontliners to submit immediately those who have primary exposure to the patient as well as his/her secondary contacts in order to closely monitor the following individuals in our isolation center,” Mercado said in a statement.
According to the mayor, the primary and secondary contacts of the said LSI will also undergo a RT-PCR (swab) test.
Earlier, the Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Southern Leyte, in coordination with the City Government of Maasin, launched its first “Red Cross 143 Covid-19 Skills Camp," which served as a safe quarantine facility for returning LSIs.
Jonas Maco, PRC-Southern Leyte chapter administrator, said they set up 30 tents in the area where returning LSIs may opt to stay, learn new skills, be physically active, and not be bored within the 14-day quarantine period.
Maco said the skills camp, which is located some 15 kilometers away from the city, had complied with DOH protocols.
It was also established through its partner agencies like Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, DOH, local business groups, religious sector, Associated Media of Southern Leyte and other donors.
On Wednesday, DOH-Eastern Visayas reported a total of 69 new confirmed Covid-19 cases in the region, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 333. (SunStar Philippines)