By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol announced on Thursday afternoon that patient Bicol#28 has died due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
DOH Regional Director Dr. Ernie Vera said Bicol#28 was a 78-year old Filipino male from Guinobatan, Albay who tested positive of COVID-19 last April 21.
"Onset of Illness was on April 11. The patient was admitted at the Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) on April 18, 2020. He was the oldest confirmed case," Vera said.
Bicol#28 was the second fatality of COVID-19 in Albay province, after the death of a 74-year old COVID-19 patient from Legazpi City last Sunday. He was the third patient to have died in the whole Bicol region.
"DOH CHD – Bicol would like to express its condolences to the patient’s family and friends," Vera said.
Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco told the Manila Bulletin that, as of press time, contact tracing was still ongoing on who may have had interaction with Bicol#28.
"Sa ngayon ongoing pa po yung contact tracing. Yung anak iti-test natin para malaman kung saan nakuha ang virus since hindi naman lumalabas ng bahay ang pasyente," Ongjoco said.
Ongjoco added that the patient was earlier reported recovered, but she later learned that Bicol#28 died of heart attack.
"Naka recover na yun. Tinanggal na nga yung oxygen at nakakapag-lakad lakad na si Lolo. Siguro na-overwhelmed kasi sa ipinadalang sulat ng mga anak at nagpa-piktyur pikyur pa. Siguro sa sobrang tuwa, inatake sa puso," Ongjoco disclosed.