5th COVID-19 case transferred to different referral hospital — DOH

The Philippines’ fifth confirmed patient and first local transmission case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was transferred to a referral hospital from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine, a health official said Sunday.

In Vonne Aquino's 24 Oras Weekend report, Health Assistant Secretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said the 62-year-old man from Cainta, Rizal had to be transferred to a different hospital to undergo a procedure.

“May kailangan siyang procedure na hindi puwede doon sa una nating referral hospital, so nailipat siya,” Vergeire explained.

She added that the patient was in stable condition.

Aside from COVID-19, the man had severe pneumonia, diabetes, hypertension, and an acute kidney injury.

His wife, 59, was the sixth confirmed COVID-19 patient and second local transmission case. 

Their children were being monitored in Cainta as authorities awaited the results of the swab testing from the RITM.

Meanwhile, the Quezon City Government is still seeking out the relatives of the woman in Australia who tested positive for COVID-19 after visiting the Philippines. 

“I already gave instructions na puntahan na kung saan siya nakatira… at kung maaaring makipag-ugnayan din sa management noong tinitirahan niyang lugar, para makapag-preemptive disinfection na tayo at puwede na tayong mag-information dissemination sa mga kapitbahay without causing panic,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

At the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac, the number of persons under investigation for possible COVID-19 infection rose to 87.

“Meron kami ngayong total of 12 na nando’n pa rin sa referral hospital doon na nag-show ng signs and symptoms. Nag-negatibo ang 21 of them sa total na 87,” Vergeire explained. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News