The Department of Health XI reported that of the 119 active cases of COVID 19 in Davao region as of June 8, majority or 80 of which are asymptomatic cases.
DOH XI Assistant Regional Director Lenny Joy Rivera bared during the One Davao on COVID 19 Virtual Presser this significant number of asymptomatic cases.
“This goes to show that we need to be more careful and continue practicing physical distancing, good hygiene, and wearing of face mask as we do not know who the carriers of the virus are,” Rivera explained.
Rivera narrated that nine (9) DOH health workers (1 doctor and 8 medical technicians) who had been part of the DOH Specimen Management Team and Case Management Team tested positive when they had their routine RT-PCR testing last May 29 after rendering official duty as “swabbers” in the different target communities in Davao City.
These health workers did not exhibit symptoms of COVID 19, however, the health official suspected that their constant exposure to these high risk communities made them vulnerable to getting infected.
“ All nine of those who tested positive did not show any symptoms.”
Upon receipt of the PCR results, the DOH XI then had the nine health workers quarantined and a case investigation was immediately done.
The DOH XI identified 23 close contacts and were also isolated in COVID facilities. All DOH XI personnel also went home early that day as the agency started decontamination and disinfection at 3PM that same day. It lasted for 3 days following the medical explanation that the virus stays on surface of objects for three days/
The nine confirmed cases, when tested for the second time, already yielded negative results. Rivera also reported that all close contacts also yielded a negative COVID result. (PIA XI/Frances Mae Macapagat)