Caraga records first COVID-19 case

The Department of Health - Center for Health Development in CARAGA on Monday confirmed that a patient has tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a statement, health authorities said the 63-year-old male patient was the first confirmed case in the region. The patient, who has a pre-existing medical condition, went to Metro Manila last month and he returned to Butuan City on March 12.

Upon returning to Butuan City, the patient was considered as a person under monitoring. He, however, manifested some symptoms of the disease during his quarantine period.

He was then listed as a person under investigation. The result of his COVID-19 test was released this morning from the Southern Philippines Medical Center.

The patient is confined at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City. According to the DOH - Region XIII, he is in stable condition.

Meanwhile, the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit already conducted a contact tracing of individuals who interacted with or were in close proximity with the patient including his flight details.

“I would like to remind the public that this is something that we need to take seriously. Follow the policies set by the government and by DOH," Regional Director Jose Llacuna Jr. said.

"Remember to practice physical distancing, hand hygiene, cough etiquette, boost your immune system, and avoid sharing unverified news,” he added.

As of April 5, DOH Caraga has recorded a total of 12 PUIs in which four were admitted in hospitals while eight were observing strict home quarantine.

Their COVID-19 test results are still pending, the DOH Caraga added.

The DOH Caraga has also provided technical assistance to the Butuan City government in the conduct of the rapid testing for the PUIs admitted in the city hospital annex or the designated PUI Center, noting that there were reactive samples found.

The said tests, however, must be confirmed using the COVID-19 RT-PCR Test which is administered by the identified sub-national laboratories. Rapid test kits will measure antibodies present but not the viral load, which is why a confirmatory RT-PCR based test is still required. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News