BUTUAN CITY - The Department of Health-Center for Health Development (DOH-CHD), on late Friday afternoon, logged 27new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region.

“DOH Caraga reports today (July 25), 94 RT-PCR results received from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and of the aforementioned RT-PCR results, 67 tested negative while 27 turned positive for the COVID-19 virus,” it said.

Of the 27 new cases, 21 were local residents of Butuan City, of which, 20 were close contacts of confirmed positive cases. One was an institutional worker of a COVID-19 admitting hospital, and another had no travel history and known exposure to coronavirus positive case. 

Three were admitted, while the rest were in the isolation and quarantine facilities, the DOH-CHD report stated in its latest advisory .

Six were locally stranded individuals (LSIs), who came from Metro Manila. 

Cases were distributed in the following areas: municipalities of Agusan del Sur- Bunawan (1), Esperanza (1), Loreto (1), Rosario (1), municipalities of Surigao del Norte- Mainit (1) and Tubod (1). 

Eighteen of the new cases were manifesting signs and symptoms of COVID-19, two were admitted due to moderate signs and symptoms, while 16 were placed in strict isolation facilities. Nine were asymptomatic and in isolation and quarantine facility for strict monitoring and management. 

Due to the latest local transmission of the deadly virus, the DOH-CHD Caraga reiterated its appeal to all Caraganons, particularly to Butuanons, to strictly adhere to all the health protocols issued by the agency, local government units, different agencies of the government and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

“Together with LGU Butuan, we discussed and identified priority response actions to reduce continuous transmission specifically intensifying contact tracing, risk communication approaches and increasing the capacity of isolation and quarantine facilities,” DOH 13 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said. 

“To all Caraganons, again, we appeal to you to follow the minimum health standards like frequent hand washing, wearing of facemasks when you need to go outside, maintain at least 1-meter distance from people and listen to official and reliable information sources,” the region’s top health official stressed. 

“We would also like to highlight the importance of seeking early consultation to a health professional especially when COVID-19 related symptoms appear like fever, cough, colds and diarrhea especially in areas with local transmission,” Llacuna said. 

“Do not wait for your condition to worsen. Furthermore, if there is no need to go outside, better stay at home,” the health chief concluded.

As of July 25, 2020, Caraga region now has 272 COVID-19 confirmed positive cases. 

However,177 of these were already discharged and recovered, 94 were still in the different isolation and quarantine facility for medical management and close monitoring, and there has been one death, he DOH-CHD Caraga added.