Cotabato City hospital says patient tested positive for COVID-19

KIDAPAWAN CITY – A patient placed under tight monitoring after showing flu-like symptoms has tested positive for COVID-19, a department order from the Cotabato Regional and Medical Center (CRMC) showed.

Dr. Faizal Romancap, training officer at the Department of Surgery of the CRMC in Cotabato, said that due to their exposure to the COVID-19 patient, all healthcare workers and some patients have been declared persons under investigation and persons under monitoring.

The Department of Surgery of the CRMC issued Department Order No. 2020-05 on March 17.

Romancap said that because of the recent developments at the hospital, he will implement additional precautionary measures, including the cancellation of all charity and private elective cases until COVID-19 issue declines.

“Only emergency cases will be catered. This is to lessen workload to our healthcare workers,” Romancap stressed.

He added that all hospital consultants who are 60 years old and above, and those with “co-morbid diseases” have been encouraged and advised to no longer report for work.

He also urged their workers to practice social distancing, disinfection, and self-quarantine guidelines at all times.

All residents on duty at the emergency room and out-patient department were also advised to wear face mask, goggles, or personal protective equipment.

The patient, according to reports, is from Lanao del Sur who has a travel history in Metro Manila and abroad.

Data from the Liga ng mga Barangay sa Pilipinas in Cotabato City showed that there are at least 159 persons-under-monitoring on COVID-19 in the city.

Data added that of the 37 barangays, there are 22 with PUMs in the city.

The city government has already ordered a lockdown of all entry and exit points to ensure public health and safety.

Mlang

Meanwhile, in the municipality of Mlang in Cotabato, the Sangguniang Bayan held a special session and the council agreed to place the entire town under a state of calamity due to the threat of COVID-19. —With a report from Williamor Magbanua/MDM/KG, GMA News