BAGUIO CITY, March 13, 2020 – Health authorities in the Cordillera disclosed that there are still eight persons under investigation (PUIs) that are awaiting the results of their confirmatory tests from the Manila-based Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM), thus, the region still remains free from the deadly Coronavirus Disease (COVID) 2019.
Update: On late afternoon of March 14, Saturday, the Abra COVID-19 Provincial Task Force confirmed the region’s positive case.
See story: Seaman is first postive COVID-19 case in Abra
DOH-CAR regional director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan disclosed that of the 8 PUIs, 5 each come from Benguet and Abra while 2 are from Baguio City.
Of the 42 individuals that showed symptoms of the deadly virus, she claimed that 30 persons were already discharged from the different health facilities in the region while the 12 individuals remained as PUIs.
The DOH-CAR added that of the 12 PUIs, 4 persons were already given clean bill of health after their confirmatory results turned out to be negative.
“We appeal to our people to remain calm and sober abut the COVID outbreak because the Cordillera remains from the deadly virus. We continue to inform our people to observe the basic sanitation and social distancing protocols to spare them from being exposed to individuals that might affect them,” Pangilinan stressed.
She pointed out that the DOH-CAR and other medical facilities in the region are ready in terms of their personnel and needed equipment and supplies to attend to the needs of individuals who seek assistance because of having symptoms of the deadly virus that is why it is best for people having fever, cough, colds, difficulty of breathing and diarrhea to immediately seek the appropriate medical attention from the nearest health facility.
According to her, the health department is awaiting the arrival of the supply of test kits from Metro Manila so that the Baguio general Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) which was earlier designated as one of the five COVID testing centers in the country will be able to start testing the specimens of PUIs to ensure the early release of confirmatory test results that will prevent the PUIs and their families from being stressed.
Because of the designation of the BGHMC as one of the five testing centers in the country, she explained that there might be confirmed COVID cases in the coming days but it will not mean that the same will come from Baguio City or any part of the region, thus, utmost understanding and cooperation is being asked from the public in the handling of the information to prevent panic among the populace that will result to unnecessary inconveniences.
Based on the obtained profile of the PUIs in the region, most of those who were able to show the symptoms of the virus were senior citizens with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, pneumonia, among other illnesses that is why the elderly must ensure that their immune system is strong and for them not to expose themselves to crowds that might allow them to contract related illnesses.
Pangilinan asserted that people should continue to practice the prescribed social distancing and for them to avoid mingling in crowded areas considering that the deadly virus remains unpredictable for them to be able to avoid instances where their health will be compromised, thus, it is still best for them to remain at home when they do not have something to do outside aside from observing basic sanitation and personal hygiene tips.
By Dexter A. See