As of August 25, 2020, DOH Caraga confirms receipt of 126 RT-PCR confirmatory results from the GeneXpert TB Reference Laboratory of Butuan Medical Center and Southern Philippines Medical Center where 112 tested negative and fourteen (14) turned positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The negative RT-PCR results are from the following: a) Six (6) Suspect cases from Butuan Doctors Hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center and E.R. Ochoa Memorial Maternity Hospital, b) Twenty-two (22) Probable cases from Surigao del Sur quarantine facilities, and c) 84 High-risk Individuals who had positive Rapid Antibody-based Tests, health care workers and close contacts of previously confirmed cases.
Of the 14 positive cases, 36% (5) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 7% (1) is a Returning Overseas Filipino, 36% (5) are close contacts of previously confirmed local transmission cases, and 21% (3) are additional local transmission cases wherein one (1) is a health worker. Majority of the cases, 65% (9) belong to ages 20-40 years old; the youngest is 18 years old and the oldest is 66 years old. As to sex distribution, 71% (10) are males while 29% (4) are females.
The new confirmed cases are distributed in the following areas: Santiago, Agusan del Norte (2), Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur (1), Bislig City (1), Tandag City (1) and Butuan City (9). The confirmed cases in Butuan are residents of the following barangays: Ambago, Ampayon, Bayanihan, Mahogany, Pagatpatan, Tandang Sora and Villa Kananga.
About 57% (8) are asymptomatic while 43% (6) have exhibited mild symptoms. Furthermore, asymptomatic cases are strictly monitored in the designated quarantine facilities while symptomatic patients are admitted at identified hospitals for management.
To date, COVID-19 confirmed positive cases in Caraga region now totals to 469 with 334 (71%) recoveries that have been discharged and released, 131 (27%) are active cases, and 4 (0.9%) deaths.
DOH Caraga has monitored an increasing trend of confirmed COVID-19 cases for the whole region with special concern for Butuan City since there is a continuous rise of local transmission cases in identified hot spot barangays.
“In the case of a community wide transmission, contact tracing becomes very challenging and is not enough in containing the widespread transmission of the virus. We call on everyone for a proactive public health response. There is a need to implement aggressive community quarantine measures to arrest a widespread transmission or community-wide transmission. Again, we appeal to all Caraganons to help each other stop the further spread of this virus by following the minimum health standards such as wearing of masks to reduce amount of emitted respiratory droplets from people who might have the infection, wash your hands, refrain from attending social gatherings such as parties and festivities and maintain at least 1 meter physical distancing. Seek immediate medical advice when symptoms occur for early management and treatment,” Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr., said.
(Source: DOH Center for Health Development- Caraga Facebook page)
