By Mike Crismundo BUTUAN CITY – The regional office of the Department of Health (DOH 13) here late Thursday afternoon reported three cases of patients under investigation (PUIs) for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID- 19). In its COVID – 19 Situational Report No. 28, the DOH 13-Center for Health Development (CHD) also reported that there were 58 persons under monitoring (PUMs) spread out in the five provinces and six cities in Caraga region. But of this number of PUMs, DOH 13 said 53 have already completed 14-day isolations and were already cleared. In an exclusive interview with The Manila Bulletin early Thursday evening, DOH 13 Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna Jr. emphasized that the PUIs were now in isolation in three government hospitals in the region. “Our health staff and personnel are now attending the latest cases of PUIs case in the region and we are closely monitoring them (PUIs),” stressed the region’s top DOH 13 official. He said the samples taken from them (PUIs) were immediately sent to the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Manila for testing. “We will just wait the result of the samples taken from them (PUIs),” Llacuna said. In its No 28 Advisory, the DOH 13-CHD said two of the PUIs are now admitted in government hospitals in Tandag City, Surigao del Sur and Caraga Regional Hospital in Surigao City. All of the patients had histories of travel in countries with cases of Covid-19, and have exhibited flu-like symptoms that include cough, colds, and fever, it said. But Llacuna clarified and emphasized that Caraga region continued to remain COVID-19, and that there is no cause for the public to panic. “I ask Caraganons instead to constantly monitor and listen to updates from correct sources of information such as the DOH through the agency’s massive information campaigns on COVID-19,” the region’s top health official said. “I also appeal to the general public not to panic, always practice cleanliness, especially frequent proper hand washing, eat healthy foods and take vitamins,” appealed Director Llacuna. It can be recalled that the first case of PUI in the Caraga region was recorded in February this year but results turned out negative for Covid-19. Meanwhile, Butuan City Mayor Engr. Ronnie Vicente C. Lagnada Friday declared the suspension of classes in all levels of government and public schools in this region’s premier and capital city of Butuan starting March 13 until further notice. “This is for the safety of students, faculty and staff, and everybody,” said the city chief executive in his executive order. Meanwhile, among the LGUs that came out with the same order included Cantilan, Carmen, and Carrascal in Surigao del Sur; San Francisco and Bayugan City in Agusan del Sur; and Tubay and Cabadbaran City in Agusan del Norte; and Surigao City.