By Tara Yap
ILOILO CITY – The Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed that two patients have already died from the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the Western Visayas region.
DOH Western Visyas Region Director Dr. Marlyn Convocar confirmed to The Manila Bulletin Monday, March 30, the region’s second casualty, who was a senior citizen.
Dr. Mary Jane Juanico, DOH regional chief for infectious diseases, said the second casualty was a 70-year-old male from Lambunao town, Iloilo province.
Juanico told The Manila Bulletin, in a separate interview, the man passed away the March 29 at Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC), the DOH-run hospital in Iloilo City designated to handle COVID-19 positive cases.
The region’s second casualty had no travel history, and health authorities were still trying to trace if he had any contact with someone who traveled to areas with positive COVID-19 cases.
DOH noted that the victim already had pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The region’s first casualty was also a senior citizen. But unlike the second casualty, the 72-year-old man from Iloilo City traveled to Metro Manila earlier this month.