ILOILO – Another overseas Filipino worker (OFW) tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – a 32-year-old male resident of Pavia town who returned last week.
He was not showing symptoms of the disease such as fever or cough, according to Dr. May Ann Soliva-Sta. Lucia, head of the Department of Health (DOH) Region 6’s Health Promotion division yesterday.
As this was being written, the OFW was in isolation at a quarantine facility in Iloilo City. But he would be transferred to the Western Visayas Sanitarium in Santa Barbara, Iloilo.
This Pavia OFW was the only COVID-19-positive person recorded in the region yesterday, bringing to 92 the total number of confirmed cases in the region.
Sta. Lucia also announced that three more COVID-19 patients in the region recovered from the illness. They were the following:
* 28-year-old male from Bacolod City (Patient No. 14)
* 25-year-old female from Barotac Nuevo, Iloilo (Patient No. 36)
* 40-year-old male from La Paz, Iloilo City (Patient No. 44).
Thus as of yesterday, there were now 34 patients who survived COVID-19 in the region, said Sta. Lucia.
The mortalities, on the other hand, stayed at 10.
Here’s the breakdown of the region’s 92 COVID-19 cases:
* Aklan – six
* Antique – 14
* Capiz – five
* Iloilo province – 18
* Negros Occidental – two
* Bacolod City – nine
* Iloilo City – 15
* Repatriates – 23 (Aklan, one; Antique, three; Guimaras, two; Iloilo province, four; Negros Occidental, four; Bacolod City, two; Iloilo City, seven).
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.
Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell.
The World Health Organization has suggested the following to protect one’s self from the disease and prevent its spread:
* Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
* Maintain at least one meter (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
* Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
* Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.
* Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
* If possible, avoid traveling to places – especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease./PN