As of April 30, 2020, at 12:00 Noon today, DOH Caraga received RT-PCR Test Results from the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC). The results were as follows: a) Seven (7) suspect cases tested Negative, b) the second confirmed COVID-19 Case is still Positive and c) the third confirmed COVID-19 Case has already turned Negative.
The third confirmed case has not exhibited any COVID-19 signs and symptoms and is closely monitored by the Local Government Unit of Butuan City including the close contacts. Meanwhile, the second confirmed case is still positive for the virus in its third follow-up test although the patient is on stable condition with intermittent oxygen support.
“We are relieved that the first follow-up test of the third confirmed case has already tested Negative considering that this is a 10 year old child who had close contact with an individual who came from an area with local transmission,” Regional Director Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. said.
Additionally, the said seven (7) Suspect cases with negative results are currently admitted in the different identified health facilities in the region namely: Nasipit District Hospital, Caraga Regional Hospital, Butuan Medical Center-Annex, Butuan Doctors’ Hospital and San Francisco Doctors’ Hospital.
“We would like to reiterate that these results came from Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Tests done by a DOH sub-national laboratory. The Rapid Antibody Tests can detect antibodies for certain diseases but the confirmatory test for COVID-19 that can detect the virus is through RT-PCR testing. Apart from our strategies on testing, we remind the public to continuously practice health preventive measures and follow government’s directives,” the health chief stressed.
As of this time, DOH Caraga has already recorded a total of 42 Cumulative Suspect cases for COVID-19. Twenty nine (29) tested Negative, Four (4) are due for specimen collection, Four (4) are still waiting for pending results and Five (5) cases were not eligible for testing albeit their medical status that correlates to COVID-19.