The Department of Health Davao Center for Health Development (DCHD) confirmed today the first case of COVID-19 in Region 11 (Davao Region).
The patient is identified as PH130, a 21-year-old Filipino female patient positive for COVID-19. Her laboratory result was confirmed by the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM).
PH130 arrived in the Philippines from the United Kingdom with lay-over via Doha, Qatar to Manila then to Davao on February 29, 2020. The DOH DCHD said in a statement that PH130 first sought consultation with a local health facility after experiencing coughing. She was immediately isolated on March 9, 2020 and was transferred and admitted for isolation and testing to a referral hospital last March 10, 2020. DOH DCHD said she is currently in stable condition.
Health officials assure the public that all necessary containment and contract tracing measures are being implemented in close coordination with concerned local government units to prevent local transmission of the virus.
“We request those who will be identified as close contacts to the confirmed case to fully cooperate and provide necessary information for proper management and facilitation. Being personally responsible in order to control COVID-19 is an essential action in this challenging situation,” Regional Director Annabelle P. Yumang said in a statement.
The DOH DCHD report that there are currently fifty (50) PUI cases reported in the region. Twenty-nine (29) patients were already discharged, while twenty-one (21) PUIs are currently admitted in 2 government hospitals in the region. 25 PUIs have already tested negative for COVID-19. There are still 13 cases awaiting results from the RITM while 7 samples are still for sending to the RITM. (Rommel F. Lopez)