As of August 22, 2020, DOH Caraga confirms receipt of 146 RT-PCR confirmatory results from the GeneXpert TB Reference Laboratory of Butuan Medical Center, Southern Philippines Medical Center and Davao One World where 111 tested negative and thirty-five (35) turned positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The negative RT-PCR results are from the following: a) Seventeen (17) Suspect cases from Nasipit District Hospital, Butuan Doctors Hospital, M.J. Santos Hospital, Caraga Regional Hospital and Agusan del Sur Quarantine Facility, b) Nineteen (19) Probable cases are from Agusan del Sur, Province of Dinagat Islands and Surigao del Sur quarantine facilities, and c) 75 Individuals who had positive Rapid Antibody-based Tests, health workers and close contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Data shows that majority of the cases or 74% (26) belong to ages 20-40 years old where the youngest is 12 years old and the oldest is 71 years old. Per sex distribution, 57% (20) are males while 43% (15) are females. In terms of case classification, 69% (24) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 14% (5) are local transmission cases in Butuan City, 9% (3) are Returning Overseas Filipinos, 6% (2) are close contacts of previously confirmed cases and 3% (1) is a hospital non-medical worker.
The new confirmed cases are distributed in the following areas:
the province of Agusan del Sur (10):
– Bayugan City (4),
– Rosario (1),
– San Francisco (2),
– San Luis (2),
– Talacogon (1),
for the province of Surigao del Norte(2):
– Sta. Monica (1),
– Taganaan (1),
for the province of Surigao del Sur (7):
– Bayabas (2),
– Carmen (1),
– Lianga (1),
– San Miguel (3) and
(7) first documented confirmed cases in the province of Dinagat Islands:
– Cagdianao (2),
– Loreto (4),
– San Jose (1).
Meanwhile, the nine (9) additional cases are from Butuan City in the following barangays: Agusan Pequeño, Ambago, Bonbon, Buhangin, Dulag, J.P. Rizal, Maon, Villa Kananga and San Vicente.
About 71% (25) are asymptomatic while 29% (10) have exhibited mild to moderate symptoms. Moreover, asymptomatic cases are strictly monitored in the designated quarantine facilities while symptomatic patients are admitted at identified hospitals for management.
“We appeal to the confirmed cases and their close contacts to fully cooperate and be truthful to the contact tracing team. In this way, we can detect and immediately isolate and manage identified individuals, and to avoid further spread of the virus,” Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.
To date, COVID-19 confirmed positive cases in Caraga region now totals to 455 with 333 (73%) recoveries that have been discharged and released, 118 (26%) are active cases, and 4 (0.9%) deaths.
“Our cases are continuously rising just as we are continuously moving. We call on everyone to increase vigilance and be accountable to our own health. Stay away from the three big Cs: Closed spaces that have poor ventilation, Crowded areas and Closed-contact settings especially where people have closed-range conversations. The risk of clustering of cases or cases that will most likely increase is when these 3Cs overlap. When these settings are not avoided and we do not protect ourselves, then there is a high risk of getting the infection. In addition, we also advise those who will go out for work to return home with their items cleaned before entering the house to protect their families. The key is always in our hands by following the minimum health standards to beat COVID-19,” the health chief stressed.
(Source: Department of Health – Caraga)