As of August 4, 2020, DOH Caraga announces receipt of 155 RT-PCR results from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center (NMTBR) and Davao One World Diagnostic Center sub-national laboratories where 143 tested negative and 12 turned positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The RT-PCR negative results are from the following cases: a) Seven (7) Suspect cases from Butuan Medical Center, Butuan Doctors Hospital, MJ Santos Hospital and Surigao del Sur Quarantine Facility, b) Twelve (12) Probable cases from Caraga Regional Hospital, Agusan del Norte Provincial Hospital and Agusan del Sur Quarantine Facility, and c) 124 High risk individuals who had positive Rapid Antibody-based Tests.
Of the 12 positive cases, 58% (7) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 8% (1) is a Returning Overseas Filipino, 17% (2) are cases classified under local transmission, 8% (1) is a close contact of a previous COVID-19 positive case, and another 8% (1) is a resident of Bayugan City who is currently employed at Butuan.
Per sex distribution, 75% (9) are females while 25% (3) are males. Majority of the cases or 58% (7) belong to ages 20-40 years old. The new confirmed cases are distributed in the following areas: Butuan City (3), Bayugan City (1), Bislig City (1), Nasipit, Agusan del Norte (1), municipalities in Agusan del Sur-Esperanza (2), Prosperidad (2), Tago, Surigao del Sur (2).
Most 92% (11) of the cases are asymptomatic while only one case has exhibited mild signs and symptoms. Moreover, those who are symptomatic are isolated at identified isolation facilities region-wide for strict monitoring and management whereas the lone case with mild symptom is admitted to a hospital facility.
To date, Caraga region COVID-19 confirmed positive cases now totals to 336 with 193 (57%) recoveries that have been discharged and released leaving a total of 142 (42%) active cases.
“We will continuously monitor the status of our cases in the different areas of the region now that we are placed on Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) while critical barangays in Butuan City are under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ). Our goal is to have reduced local transmission cases in a two-week period in these critical areas and contain COVID-19 cases among LSIs and ROFs by strictly following isolation and quarantine procedures. We can only achieve this if we work together. We call on everyone to firmly observe and follow our health protocols. Only go out for work or if necessary. Wear facemasks at all times. Practice physical distancing. Lastly, report to your local health authorities when symptoms like fever, cough, colds, sore throat, and diarrhea of more than two days occur,” Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said. (RPN DXKS Surigao)
(Source: DOH Caraga)
