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Tagaytay LGU defends move to force COVID-19 patient to leave city


Following the claim of a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivor that she was forced to leave Tagaytay City, the city's local government on Monday maintained that local officials complied with the directives set by the Department of Health (DOH) in managing patients.

In a statement sent to GMA News Online, the local government of Tagaytay City said patient Agnes Reyes could be classified as belonging to a highly-vulnerable group because she is an elderly and has bone cancer based upon her declaration.

Reyes had tested positive for COVID-19 in her first swab test.

"As per DOH guidelines, she should be managed inside a hospital or any health facility designed for appropriate monitoring and management of COVID-19 patients," the city government said.

"Upon further inquiry from the Department of Health with regards to patient Reyes' condition, LGU Tagaytay was informed that said patient's second swab test again yielded positive results, all the more providing local health officials with reasons for greater alarm," it added.

The Tagaytay LGU has coordinated with DOH-NCR, Pasig City LGU, The Medical City where Reyes, who is a resident of Barangay Caniogan in Pasig, had sought initial consultation last March 25.

"[The] DOH-NCR affirmed the LGU's position that said patient should be transferred to an appropriate health facility and not home quarantined, hence, the arrangement for immediate transport and re-admission of patient at Medical City, Pasig were made by the local government unit," the Tagaytay LGU said.

Reyes earlier said she had decided to isolate herself at her sister’s home in Tagaytay City while awaiting the results of her second COVID-19 test.

The Tagaytay LGU then pointed out that Reyes had violated health protocols when she travelled to Tagaytay City. It also said Reyes failed to disclose to Pasig City health authorities her plan to go to Tagaytay City.

"While she was advised to go on home quarantine, patient should have stayed within Pasig City pending the results of her tests and should have coordinated with Pasig local health authorities for proper monitoring of her case," the Tagaytay LGU said, noting that Reyes endangered the safety of residents of the city.

Authorities in Tagaytay City also said Reyes had falsely claimed that she was a resident of the area so that she could pass through the control points. Her quarantine in Tagaytay was only discovered through a social media post of the barangay captain of Caniogan.

"She is not a registered resident of the city nor does she own any property in Tagaytay. The residence where patient Reyes stayed for quarantine belongs to her relatives," the Tagaytay LGU said.

GMA News Online has reached the Department of the Interior and Local Government for comment regarding the matter.

So far, Tagaytay City has one confirmed COVID-19 case while there were 165 persons under investigation. --KBK, GMA News

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