COVID-19 case in Visayas in critical condition; 5 housemates have symptoms

A patient tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Visayas is presently in critical condition, according to Ivan Mayrina's report on Balitanghali on Thursday.

Patient 39 — a 64-year-old councilor in Tayasan, Negros Oriental with travel history to Greenhills, San Juan — tested positive for the virus on Wednesday evening.

According to the report, the councilor could be considered immunocompromised as he was a kidney transplantee.

The patient traveled to Manila on February 26 to attend a meeting of the Philippine Councilors League.

Before returning to Tayasan on March 1, the patient went to Greenhills. On March 3, he suffered diarrhea, which was followed by COVID-19 symptoms such as cough and fever.

The councilor was brought to a hospital on March 7 and was tested on March 9.

However, before displaying symptoms, the patient also attended a flag ceremony at Tayasan on March 2 and attended the graduation ceremony of Tayasan elementary students.

Due to this, Tayasan Mayor Susano Ruperto has undergone self-quarantine.

He has also ordered all his constituents who directly interacted with the patient to undergo home quarantine and to report should symptoms develop.

The latest information from the Provincial Health Office meanwhile showed that five of the patient's housemates have developed a fever. They will be fetched by the Provincial Health Office to be isolated at the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital.

The report quoted the provincial government as saying that it is ready to implement a localized lockdown if necessary. —Joahna Lei Casilao/KBK, GMA News