ILOILO – With 13 new confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases, the municipality of Alimodian was placed on a stricter enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) for five days beginning yesterday.
All asymptomatic, the latest patients were immediately quarantined, according to Dr. Jane Juanico, head of Infectious Disease Section of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6.
They were part of the 33 additional cases that DOH-6 confirmed yesterday and brought to 307 the total cases in Western Visayas.
Of the 13, five were healthcare workers including three midwives, a medical technologist and a nurse. They were all assigned at the Municipal Health Office of Alimodian.
The eight remaining cases were all close contacts or immediate family members of Patient No. 282.
The COVID-19-positive residents of Alimodian were the following:
* 16-year-old female (Patient No. 278)
* 27-year-old female (Patient No. 279)
* Three-year-old male (Patient No. 280)
* 28-year-old female (Patient No. 281)
* 55-year-old female (Patient No. 282)
* 46-year-old-female (Patient No. 283)
* 47-year-old female (Patient No. 284)
* 45-year-old female (Patient No. 285)
* 23-year-old female (Patient No. 286)
* 20-year-old female (Patient No. 287)
* 13-year-old female (Patient No. 288)
* 40-year-old female (Patient No. 289)
According to Juanico, the five healthcare workers were all attending to a coronavirus-infected female patient – a 22-year-old (Patient No. 175) locally stranded individual currently isolated at the town’s quarantine facility.
“Most of the health workers are involved in the management and consultation of the case,” said Juanico during an emergency press conference on Monday afternoon together with Dr. Marlyn Convocar, regional director of DOH-6 and Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, chief of the Local Health Support Division of DOH-6.
Juanico said they have yet to identify the source of infection of these health workers, noting that they were all wearing personal protective equipment.
The rise of COVID-19 cases in the town prompted DOH-6 and Mayor Gefree Alonsabe to impose an ECQ effective Monday afternoon.
ECQ is a form of community quarantine implementing temporary measures imposing stringent limitations on movement and transportation of people, strict regulation of operating industries, provision of food and essential services, and heightened presence of uniformed personnel to enforce community quarantine protocols.
After five days the town’s COVID situation would be assessed.
For his part, Alonsabe on his official Facebook page clarified that the town is not on a lockdown.
“Indi kita magkahadlok kag magkahangawa sa sining sitwasyon nga may ara kita nga positibo sa COVID-19,” Alonsabe told his constituents.
“Dapat nga mag-relax, magpangamuyo, magpabilin sa balay, kag sundon ang mga panugyan sang otoridad,” he added.
Alonsabe also urged residents to avoid “panic buying” and sharing unverified information.
“Hindi mag-panic buying kay wala sang total lockdown nga matabo. Magbakal lang sang nagakaigo nga kinahanglanon sa pang-adlaw-adlaw naton,” said Alonsabe.
Alimodian’s 13 coronavirus-infected residents were part of the 33 new cases recorded in Western Visayas – the highest number of cases recorded in a single day. These brought to 307 the total cases in the region.
The 20 other new cases recorded were the following (either locally stranded individuals or LSIs or repatriated overseas Filipino workers or OFWs):
* 23-year-old female from Kalibo, Aklan or Patient No. 275 (LSI)
* 16-year-old male from Dumangas, Iloilo or Patient No. 276
* 27-year-old female from Carles, Iloilo or Patient No. 277 (LSI)
* 55-year-old male from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo or Patient No. 291(LSI)
*27-year-old female from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo or Patient No. 292 (LSI)
* 23-year-old female from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo or Patient No. 293 (LSI)
* 27-year-old female from Sta. Barbara, Iloilo or Patient No. 294 (LSI)
* 34-year-old male from Bacolod City, or Patient No. 295 (OFW)
* 31-year-old female from Molo, Iloilo City or Patient No. 296 (OFW)
* 51-year-old male from Nueva Valencia, Guimaras or Patient No. 297 (OFW)
* 32-year-old female from City Proper or Patient No. 298
* 30-year-old female from Mandurriao, Iloilo City or Patient No. 299
* 33-year-old female from Sagay City, Negros Occidental or Patient No. 300 (LSI)
* 37-year-old male from Jaro, Iloilo City or Patient 301(LSI)
* 37-year-old female from Jaro, Iloilo City or Patient No. 302 (OFW)
* 35-year-old male from Lapuz, Iloilo City or Patient No. 303
* 28-year-old male from Murcia, Negros Occidental or Patient No. 304 (LSI)
* 23-year-old male from Binalbagan, Negros Occidental or Patient No. 305 (LSI)
* 32-year-old male from Hinoban, Negros Occidental or Patient No. 306 (LSI)
* 26-year-old female from Valladolid, Negros Occidental or Patient No. 307 (OFW)
DOH-6 also recorded new confirmed cases detected in Region 6 but tagged to other regions.
They were the following:
* 24-year-old male from Vallehermoso, Negros Orriental (transient LSI)
* 35-year-old male from Koronadal City, South Cotabato (transient LSI)
This brought to 307 the total confirmed cases in Western Visayas.
Of 307, 170 were active cases, 126 recovered and 11 died./PN
