By Marie Tonette MarticioÂ
TACLOBAN City - The Department of Health Eastern Visayas (DOH-8) has confirmed its second case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Tuesday, March 31.
DOH-8 Regional Director Minerva Molon said the second case was a 63-year old male from Calbayog City who has travel history to Metro Manila. He went back to Calbayog on March 8.
He experienced dry cough and was admitted to a hospital in Calbayog City on March 21. He was diagnosed with community-acquired pneumonia and was discharged from a hospital in Calbayog City on March 21.
He was advised to undergo home-isolation, but his dry cough persisted which prompted health authorities to test him for COVID-19 last March 25.
Molon said that his condition has improved but he has been referred to the referral hospital in Tacloban City for further monitoring and management because of his comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and asthma.
Calbayog City Health Office is now closely monitoring the patient's family and driver who are now on home-quarantine.
Meanwhile, Molon said the first confirmed case from Catarman, Northern Samar has tested negative twice along with eight samples sent to Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) in Cebu City last Saturday (March 28).
The 53-year old female patient was ready for discharge, but was advised to undergo home-isolation for 14 days.
Due to this additional COVID-19 case, Molon emphasized the need to strictly observe social distancing and proper hygiene to avoid the spread of the virus.
"We are assuring from the government that we are working hard in doing our part. We will also guide those who are conducting contact tracing (of the positive cases). Let us strictly observe social distancing because this disease is very contagious. This is just a small sacrifice," she said.