Cordillera Region’s first COVID-19 case is OFW from Abra

The first positive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case in the Cordillera Region was a seaman residing in Manabo, Abra.

A Saturday 24 Oras Weekend report, citing Governor Joy Bernos, said that the patient was a 39-year-old seaman who arrived from the United Arab Emirates.

The seaman returned to the Philippines on March 8 and took part in festivities the following day.

On March 10, the OFW went to a hospital in San Fernando, La Union to visit a relative.

The seaman underwent a check-up at the same hospital and was later declared a person under investigation (PUI) for possible COVID-19 infection after developing a fever.

After the hospital visit, the OFW returned to Abra but did not inform authorities of his PUI status.

The La Union hospital contacted the Department of Health in the Cordillera Region to report that the seaman had tested positive for the disease.

The provincial COVID-19 task force had begun contact tracing on the seaman.

Barangay Catacdegan Nuevo in Manabo, where the seaman resided, had also been placed under quarantine.

The Philippines had 111 cases of COVID-19 as of Saturday, according to the DOH. — Julia Mari Ornedo/DVM, GMA News