CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Philippines – Six individuals, including an infant, from this city and Misamis Oriental suspected of having contracted the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) have tested negative, health authorities said Friday, May 1.
Among those whose result came out negative is a woman, 60, from Sitio La Paz, Barangay Lapasan who died Friday afternoon. Her swab samples were taken on April 29.
Others who tested negative were a mother, 31, and her seven-month-old baby from Barangay 35; a medical worker, 31, at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) who had contact with patient 6783 from Sitio Pinikitan, Barangay Camaman-an; a woman, 53, from El Salvador City, Misamis Oriental; and a female, 45, from Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental.
All the patients were admitted at the NMMC, the referral hospital for COVID-19. Their test results came from Southern Philippines Medical Center in Davao City, said Dr. Lorraine Nery, City Health Officer.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health and local health personnel conducted the swab test to the 17 family members of PH 6783. The results have yet to be determined.
Patient 6783, who died of severe acute respiratory illness while at the NMMC on April 18, also suffered from chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. His test result indicated he was infected with the coronavirus.
Following Patient 6783’s death, Pinikitan was put on quarantine with law enforcement officers setting up checkpoints along with the area’s entrance and exit points to control the movement of the people. Mayor Oscar Moreno has also urged the residents to stay in their homes while a team of health personnel conducted contact-tracing.
According to Dr. Bernard Rocha, a medical expert at the NMMC, there are now 71 patients who were discharged after they were tested negative for CVID-19. (davaotoday.com)
