TACLOBAN City - As the country grapples with the surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases, the Department of Health reported that cases have already breached the 1,000-mark in Eastern Visayas following the influx of thousands of locally stranded individuals (LSIs) returning home to their provinces.
DOH-8 confirmed 36 new cases Tuesday, August 4, bringing the total number of cases to 1,035.
Of the 36 cases, Leyte posted the most number of cases among the provinces with 16, 14 of which were LSIs.
This was followed by Southern Leyte and Samar provinces, which recorded 14 and nine cases, respectively.
Meanwhile, John Paul Roca, DOH-8 information officer, also confirmed that a 14-year-old female patient positive of COVID-19 from Calbayog City died at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center (EVRMC) here.
Patient EV 993 was admitted at a local hospital in Calbayog City last July 25, with fever, cough, and vomiting. She stayed at the hospital for seven days and was discharged against medical advice last August 1.
Hours after her discharge, she experienced difficulty breathing which prompted re-admission to another local hospital. Upon assessment, she was referred to EVRMC on August 2.
"She was admitted as a severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patient and had underlying conditions. She turned positive for COVID-19 as per result released on August 3 after she expired," Roca disclosed.
However, the official clarified that they have yet to receive an official report on her death and can only confirm if it is a COVID death after review.
The region has earlier recorded three COVID-19 deaths from the municipalities of Kananga, Leyte; Kawayan, Biliran; and Tarangnan, Samar.
It now has 328 active cases and 704 or 68.01 percent recovery rate.