By Nino Luces
LEGAZPI CITY, Albay - The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol announced on Wednesday night six new cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) bringing the total number in the region to 34.
Dr. Ernie Vera, DOH Bicol regional director said that three of the new cases are health workers.
"Three among them are health workers. The region now has 34 confirmed cases recorded, and 12 current confirmed cases," Vera said.
Vera said the 29th confirmed case of COVID-19 is a 25-year old Filipino male, and a health worker from Naga City, Camarines Sur. He went to Bicol Medical Center (BMC) for consultation on April 21, 2020 and his history of exposure is still being validated. The patient is asymptomatic.
Bicol's patient #30 is a 64-year old Filipino female from Tabaco City, Albay who has a history of travel to Quezon City. She first experienced symptoms on April 15, 2020, and consulted a doctor at Bicol Regional Training and Teaching Hospital (BRTTH) on April 20, 2020. The patient is still confined at the hospital.
"A 19-year old Filipino male is the 31st confirmed case of COVID-19 in the region. He is from Legazpi City, Albay and is a close contact of Bicol's patient #20. He went to BRTTH for consultation on April 21, 2020 and is currently asymptomatic," Vera said.
Another health worker who tested positive for COVID-19 is the 32nd confirmed case from Camalig town in Albay. The patient is a 40-year old male. His history of exposure is still being established.
"He is the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in his municipality," Vera said.
The 33rd case is a 43-year old Filipino female from Guinobatan town. She is the 5th health worker who tested positive for COVID-19. The patient is asymptomatic and her history of exposure is still being established, according to Vera.
Guinobatan Mayor Ann Gemma Ongjoco said the 33rd patient is from Brgy. Inamnan Grande. Contact tracing is still being conducted.
"The 34th confirmed case is a 33-year old Filipino female from Legazpi City, Albay. Her history of exposure is being validated. Patient is asymptomatic and went to BRTTH on April 21, 2020," Vera said.