ILOILO – A 69-year-old male became San Enrique town’s first casualty to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
He died at a hospital in Iloilo City on Aug. 23, announced Mayor Rosario Mediatrix Fernandez on Facebook.
The man’s test result came out just this Aug. 19 or four days before he expired. He was feverish and had difficulty breathing.
This case baffled Fernandez. The man, a resident of Barangay Compo, had no history of travel outside Region 6 in areas where COVID-19 was prevalent.
The man’s COVID-positive test result prompted Fernandez to order a surgical lockdown of a neighborhood in Barangay Compo covering five houses beginning Aug. 19.
The lockdown would end on Sept. 4 – or earlier.
“The duration of the lockdown will depend on the test results of the patient’s close contacts presently under strict home quarantine. If all will test negative for COVID-19, we will lift the lockdown immediately,” said Fernandez.
But if these close contacts test positive for COVID-19, “we will finish the 12 to 14 days quarantine period para safe kita tanan,” said the mayor.
Fernandez urged her constituents to be health-conscious and vigilant.
“If you have fever, cough, sore throat, loose bowel movement, headaches, and or body aches, contact the Municipal Health Office,” she said.
Fernandez also warned her constituents against subjecting people with COVID-19 to discrimination.
“Mga kasimanwa, let us remain calm and please let us not discriminate. This could happen to anyone of us and to our loved ones. Let us be mindful of our words and actions,” said Fernandez.
As of Sunday, Aug. 23, San Enrique had 16 cumulative COVID-19 cases (including the man who died). With 10 cases already recovered, it had five remaining active cases./PN
