FROM THE PRESS | DOH DAVAO CHD CONFIRMS FIRST CASE OF COVID-19 IN REGION 11; CONTAINMENT MEASURES INTENSIFIED
The Department of Health Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD) disclosed today the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Region 11. The confirmed case identified as PH130 is a 21-year-old Filipino female patient under investigation (PUI) is positive for COVID-19 after her laboratory results was confirmed by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM). The DOH DCHD, however, assures the public that all necessary containment measures are being implemented to prevent local transmission of the virus.
The confirmed case arrived in the Philippines from the United Kingdom with lay-over via Doha, Qatar to Manila then to Davao on February 29, 2020. The patient first sought consultation to a local health facility due to cough and was immediately isolated on March 9, 2020. She was transferred and admitted for isolation and testing to a referral hospital last March 10, 2020. She is currently in stable condition.
DOH is now closely coordinating concerned Local Government Unit and the hospital where the patient is admitted, for concerted actions on identifying persons who had interaction with the confirmed case, strengthening infection prevention and control protocols and for further developments arising from this health event.
The Contact Tracing Team of the Department of Health DCHD is already in close coordination with the Local Government Unit concerned. Persons who will be identified to have close interaction with the confirmed case will be interviewed and assessed for proper management.
“We request those who will be identified as close contacts to the confirmed case to fully cooperate and provide necessary information for proper management and facilitation. Being personally responsible in order to control COVID-19 is an essential action in this challenging situation.”, Regional Director Annabelle P. Yumang said.
Update on Patients Under Investigation (PUIs)
To date, there are fifty (50) PUI cases reported in the region. Twenty-nine (29) patients were already discharged, while twenty-one (21) PUIs are currently admitted in 2 government hospitals in the region. Meanwhile, 25 PUIs have already tested negative for COVID-19. There are still 13 cases awaiting results from the RITM while 7 samples are still for sending to the RITM.
“We assure the public that the Department of Health is on top of the situation. We have activated our Incident Command System and Rapid Response Team for appropriate management, including increased infection control, case management and containment to prevent the spread of the virus. We urge the public to stay calm and remain vigilant at all times. Let us continue to practice proper handwashing, social distancing, and cough etiquette. We also appeal to everyone to refrain from sharing unverified information and obtain information only from verified sources such as the Department of Health official website and social media accounts. Let us continue doing our part in containing the disease,” RD Yumang remarked.