By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay – The Department of Health in the Bicol Region (DOH-Bicol) announced on Monday the region’s first coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) death and two new confirmed cases.
DOH-Bicol regional director Ernie Vera said that as of 5 p.m. on April 6, Bicol has recorded 13 confirmed cases, of which, five patients have recovered, and one had perished due to COVID-19.
"A 66- year old Filipino male is the 12th confirmed case recorded in Bicol Region. He was admitted at the Bicol Medical Center midnight of April 2. Said patient died a few hours later on April 3. He was cremated immediately as a safety precaution. The test result confirming he was positive for COVID-19 was validated today. Patient#12 is the first (1st) COVID -19 death in Bicol Region," Vera said.
Vera added that the 13th confirmed case COVID-19 was a 63-year old Filipino female from Albay.
"She has travel history to Baguio City and is currently admitted at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH)," he said.
"(It is our) appeal to the public now, more than ever. DOH CHD–Bicol appeals for cooperation from the public. Stay home to break the chain of infection and cooperate in the on-going contact tracing. Practice prescribed precautionary measures and follow strictly the protocols for enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for everyone’s safety.
Earlier, Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion has already issued a statement that the entire village where the patient resided was already placed under strict community quarantine or lockdown.
He said that all persons who had primary and secondary contact with the patient were already placed under quarantine.
“Early this morning, April 6, we attempted to reach the Regional Office of DOH and at 10:18 a.m., Dr. Ernie Vera, Regional Director of the Department of Health, confirmed to us that patient tested positive for COVID-19,” he said.
The patient had no travel history to Metro Manila or outside the country, Legacion disclosed.