Quirino's first COVID-19 case comes from governor's own residence
Quirino Province Governor Dakila Carlo E. Cua confirmed on Tuesday, August 11, that his province recorded its first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) case after his family’s own house help tested positive for the virus.
In a post on the provincial government’s Facebook account, Cua said the result of a swab test conducted on their helper came back as positive on Monday night at their family residence in Cabarroguis, Quirino.
In her mid-20's, the patient had no travel history to other COVID-19 affected areas in the country, and has had no close contact with any COVID-19 positive patient.
She is in stable condition at the Southern Isabela Medical Center (SIMC).
"Mula po nung nag-lockdown tayo dito sa ating probinsya noong March, ang buong pamilya ko po at buong household ay nag-lockdown na rin po dito sa aming bahay," the governor said.
Cua also revealed that the patient first experienced a stomachache, and was immediately referred to the Quirino Province Medical Center (QPMC). But after the doctor's observation, the patient was diagnosed with a non-COVID-19 related case. Despite this, the hospital still requested the patient to undergo swab testing before discharging her from the hospital.
According to the chief executive of Quirino, the patient was isolated in a room within the household after she was released from QPMC while waiting for the results of her swab tests. But Monday night, August 10, her test yielded a positive result for COVID-19.
"Hindi talaga expected. Hindi ko inakala na itong aking kasambahay ay mag-positive sa COVID-19. Dahil nga po, hindi talaga lumalabas ang ating pasyente," Cua exclaimed.
"Siguro ang mensahe dito is mag-ingat tayong lahat. We never know where the danger is coming or where the infection will come from. Mas mabuting mag-ingat," he added.
Local authorities of the province are now conducting contact tracing, disinfection and extensive investigation on the origin of the transmission to avoid further cases of COVID-19 in Quirino.
Cua's other household members will also undergo swab testing and home quarantine to make sure that none of them is a coronavirus carrier.
"Huwag po kayong mag-alala. Bino-volunteer ko po kung ano man ang resulta ng aking test, I will share it with all of you," the governor assured the public.
"We will make sure na hindi kami magiging source ng hawaan kung meron man kaming COVID e, hindi kami lalabas to protect everyone," he uttered.
The Governor also assured the people in Quirino that even though he will be quarantined in his residence in Cabarroguis, the functions and services of his office and of the provincial government will not be affected by this incident and will continue to serve their constituency.