As of August 8, 2020, DOH Caraga confirms receipt of 149 RT-PCR results from Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC), Davao Regional Medical Center (DRMC) and Northern Mindanao TB Reference Center sub-national laboratories where 133 tested negative and 16 turned positive for the COVID-19 virus.
The RT-PCR negative results are from the following cases: a) Six (6) Suspect cases from MJ Santos Hospital, San Francisco Doctors’ Hospital and Caraga Regional Hospital, b) Twelve (12) Probable cases from Nasipit District Hospital, Caraga Regional Hospital, Adela Serra Ty Memorial Medical Center, Bislig District Hospital, Agusan del Sur Quarantine Facilities, and Surigao del Sur Quarantine Facilities and c) 115 High risk individuals who had positive Rapid Antibody-based Tests.
Of the 16 positive cases, 62% (10) are Locally Stranded Individuals, 6% (1) is a local transmission case from Butuan City, 13% (2) are frontline health workers in one of the hospitals in Bunawan, Agusan del Sur, 13% (2) are with history of travel to Davao City, one of which is a health care worker from Butuan City and 6% (1) is a close contact of a previously confirmed COVID-19 positive case.
Per sex distribution, 69% (11) are females while 31% (5) are males. About 50% (8) belong to ages 20-40 years old. The new confirmed cases are distributed in the following areas: Butuan City (3), Tandag City (1), Bislig City (1), municipalities in Agusan del Sur- Bunawan (1), Prosperidad (1), Loreto (1), San Francisco (3), Sibagat (1),Talacogon (1) and Marihatag, Surigao del Sur (3).
Most of the cases, 94% (15) are asymptomatic while only one case has exhibited mild signs and
symptoms. Moreover, those who are asymptomatic are strictly monitored in the designated quarantine facilities whereas the lone case with mild symptom is admitted to a hospital facility.
To date, COVID-19 confirmed positive cases in Caraga region now totals to 352 with 224 (63%) recoveries that have been discharged and released leaving a total of 128 (36%) active cases.
“We remind the public to exercise vigilance, report early and seek immediate medical attention when experiencing COVID-19 symptoms like cough, colds, sore throat, fever and diarrhea. Based on RA 11332 or the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases, everyone should coordinate with their respective local health authorities and Barangay Health Emergency Response Team, to report these notifiable diseases and/or any health events of public health concern,” Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.
(Source: DOH Center for Health Development- Caraga)