DOH confirms 2nd COVID-19 case in Caraga

BUTUAN CITY, Apr. 19 (PIA) — The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga confirmed the second case of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the region.

Patient P12COV is a 65-year old Filipino male with no known travel history in the country or abroad. He has, however, interacted with a relative who went to Davao City to participate in the Araw ng Dabaw six-cock-derby at the New Davao Matina Gallera held last month.

Prior to the confirmation, the patient was initially identified as a Patient Under Investigation (PUI) and tested negative on its first test.

However, according to Dr. Kenneth Jay-r Alberca, the medical specialist of Caraga Regional Hospital (CRH), they had insisted that they conduct a second test on the patient. In addition to his current health condition and his engagement with the said relative, his chest X-ray results made him a likely candidate to contract the disease.

Relevant to this, he also emphasized that apart from assessing the patient’s current condition, pre-existing medical conditions and travel history, there is also the need to take into consideration the conduct of tests such X-ray and inflammatory markers as these can aid clinicians to make an accurate assessment of determining COVID-19 patients.

At present, the patient is hospitalized at the Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City. Albeit being given oxygen support, he is showing signs of clinical improvement.

Health authorities are urging the public to be more compliant with the health protocols set by the authorities as well as those implemented under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ).

Amid the predicament, DOH Caraga regional director Dr. Jose Llacuna Jr. reminded the public to continue to unite and cooperate with the authorities by reporting to the health agency any individuals suspected of having the disease.

“The only way to meet the challenge is to meet it head-on,” the health official affirmed.

Meanwhile, the first COVID-19-positive patient in the region has tested negative on his third test. He was discharged on Saturday after he underwent an appropriate assessment. (PIA-Caraga)

source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1039414