Local transmission blamed for recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Leyte
By Marie Tonette Marticio
TACLOBAN City - The Department of Health (DOH-8) has confirmed local transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Tacloban City and the municipalities of La Paz and Hilongos, which are all in Leyte province.
This, after a total of 68 confirmed cases were logged on Saturday, June 13, bringing the total of cases to 200 in the region.
"This is because the recent confirmed cases have no recent travel history except for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) or no exposure to a confirmed COVID-19 case," DOH-8 explained.
DOH-8 said it was pouring all its efforts into managing the surge of cases. It also ensured that the localized transmission of the virus will not progress to the community spread.
"At this stage of localized transmission, we should intensify contact tracing, mandatory admission of those who arrive in the region in the community isolation unit, improved hospital preparedness, and enhance severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance," DOH noted.
At least seven health workers and two municipal employees have been infected by COVID-19 in La Paz town, prompting Mayor Angel Sia to order the temporary closure of its Rural Health Unit (RHU).
He also appealed for additional medical health workers from the DOH to help in the town's bid to contain the spread of the virus.
However, despite the local transmission, he has not declared that La Paz be placed under lockdown as of this writing.
Meanwhile, all of the confirmed cases in the municipality have been isolated at the mild COVID isolation center.