ILOILO City – Nine pregnant women in this southern city tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in just one day.
The expectant mothers were asymptomatic and quarantined at Jaro National High School in Jaro district.
They underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction test on Sept. 9 and their results came out on Sept. 12, according to Jeck Conlu, spokesperson of the city government’s COVID-19 team.
The infected moms-to-be were residents of the following area:
* Barangay Taft North, Mandurriao – two
* Barangay Ingore, La Paz – two
* Bitoon, Jaro – one
* Barangay MH Del Pilar, Jaro – one
* Barangay San Isidro, Jaro – one
* Barangay Don Esteban, Lapuz – one
* Barangay Rizal Pala-Pala (Zone 2) – one
Conlu said doctors are constantly monitoring their condition.
While failing to provide percentages of COVID-positive cases for women going into labor in the city, he expressed alarm over the recent cases.
Even Mayor Jerry Treñas, he said, was alarmed and wanted everyone, especially pregnant mothers, to be aware so they can take extra care.
“Ga-appeal gid kita sa mga pregnant women nga as much as possible, indi anay magwa or maglagaw kon indi man lang importante kag gintinguhaan nga less ang exposure sa sagwa,” said Conlu.
Aside from pregnant women, Conlu also appealed to individuals with underlying medical conditions like those undergoing chemotherapy and dialysis to avoid going outside and possibly contracting the infectious disease.
According to the World Health Organization, pregnant women – with their immunocompromised status and physiological adaptive changes during pregnancy – could be more susceptible to COVID-19 infection than the general population.
To protect pregnant patients, the Department of Health (DOH) issued Memorandum 2020-0261 entitled Interim Guidelines on the Continuous Provision of Maternal Health Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
“All pregnant patients are recommended to have primary care facility for triaging, via telemedicine, if available,” the DOH said.
Asymptomatic pregnant with close contact shall undergo home quarantine for 14 days or to Temporary Treatment and Monitoring Facility (TTMF) for quarantine for 14 days.
Symptomatic pregnant (mild classified as suspect, probable, or confirmed) COVID-19 case shall go to TTMF for 14-day isolation or Level 1 Hospital or Infirmary or home isolation provided with clearance from the patient’s attending physicians; symptomatic pregnant (severe or critical classified as suspect, probable, or confirmed) or symptomatic pregnant mild classified as suspect, probable, or confirmed COVID-19 case plus with any comorbidities should proceed to COVID-19 Referral Hospital or COVID-19 accepting Level 2 or Level 3 Hospital.
For clinically recovered pregnant suspect, probable or confirmed COVID-19 case awaiting completion of quarantine period can be accommodated in all Level 1 Hospital Infirmary, or TTMF selected for step-down care./PN
