1st COVID-19 case in Baybay City, Leyte part of Balik Probinsya group, says mayor

A member of the first batch of the Balik Probinsya program is the first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Baybay City, Leyte province.

Baybay City Mayor Jose Carlos L. Cari has announced through social media that all returning individuals undergo quarantine, rapid test and those who test positive are obligated to undergo the PCR test or the swab test.

"Ang ato mga Balik Probinysa, ang first batch, akong ipasabot kaninyo, ang usa niani nag positive sa COVID test. So, duna na tay pinakauna na COVID patient nia diri sa Baybay," he said.

"Opisyal ako nagpasabot kaninyo niani, aron basig naa pa mahitabo na misinformation," he added.

Cari, former Leyte 5th District representative, assured the people that health personnel are conducting contact tracing and that there is no need to worry about the situation.

The patient did not have a direct contact with his/her family while the health workers are also safe and were properly equipped.

Cari said there were 11 individuals who are part of the Balik probinsya program that arrived early Friday morning while there were 12 overseas Filipino workers who arrived the next day.

There were five OFWs, three stranded individuals who returned the other day while three OFWs and one locally stranded returned on Thursday.

On Friday, Cari announced there are more individuals expected to arrive from Tacloban.

The Mayor assured that Baybay City is ready to handle COVID-19 cases with quarantine facilities set up in each barangay and a COVID-Ligtas Center located along the diversion road.

He added that government and private organizations are also working together.

"Ako lang mo hangyuon, padayon ta sa atong mga protocols. Ang usual nato na mag face mask, atong social distancing, ang kanunay na paghugas sa mga kamot, maglikay sa pag-gunit sa mga baba ug ilong ug kanang pagpuyo sa balay," said Cari.

He added that residents should remain in their homes, avoid leaving the house unless for important travel or errands.

Cari said an emergency meeting is set on Friday with members of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases to discuss the first COVID-19 patient in Baybay City. -- BAP, GMA News