BACOLOD City – There may be unreported cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) here, according to the Philippine Society for Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (PSMID).
Some people refused to be swabbed even after having close contact with COVID-positive cases, and they were mostly asymptomatic, said PSMID’s Dr. Jeanette Umali.
Underreported COVID-19 cases are thus possible, she added.
Umali noted “clustering” of cases involving families.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Em Ang, executive director of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) here, said this has become a challenge for the city government.
She urged Bacolodnons to immediately seek medical attention should they exhibit signs and symptoms of COVID-19.
“Do not wait until it’s too late,” Ang said.
Based on the EOC Contact Tracing report on May 31, a total of 41 individuals contracted COVID-19 via household transmission.
Also, 47 percent of 663 individuals who sought consultation and were swabbed within a 14-day period (from May 18 to May 31) tested positive for COVID-19.
Dr. Chris Sorongon, deputy for medical data and analysis of EOC, said they may be forced to report to the police then refer to the City Legal Office those close contacts who refuse to be swabbed./PN
