OFFICIAL STATEMENT NO. 31
FORTY (40) NEW COVID-19 CASES IN CENTRAL VISAYAS, TOTAL CASES AT FOUR HUNDRED NINETY EIGHT (498). THREE (3) ADDITIONAL LABORATORY NEGATIVE FROM PREVIOUSLY CONFIRMED CASES; TOTAL NEW LABORATORY NEGATIVE AT TWENTY-EIGHT (28). TOTAL DEATHS REMAIN AT TEN (10)
26 APRIL 2020
The Department of Health Central Visayas Center for Health Development (DOH CVCHD) through the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center Sub-National Laboratory (VSMMC SNL) has released, as of 5:00 pm today, four hundred twenty five (425) test results. There are forty three (43) positive results, three (3) of which are repeat of previously confirmed positive cases. The total confirmed cases in the region is now at four hundred and ninety-eight (498). Three (3) confirmed cases are now laboratory negative. Central Visayas has now twenty-eight (28) cases who have cleared the virus from their system. Number of deaths remains at ten (10).
All the new forty (40) additional cases are from Cebu City, the samples of which are from the contacts of those confirmed positive earlier from the different barangays in the city. The thirty nine (39) cases are residents of the city while one (1) is from the BJMP Cebu City jail. Total number of cases in the city is at four hundred fifty-one (451). No new cases from Lapu-Lapu City and Mandaue City as they maintained their cases at twenty-eight (28) and eleven (11) respectively. Among the provinces, no new cases are recorded in Bohol, Cebu and Negros Oriental. Siquijor remains to have no documented case of COVID-19.
The additional laboratory negatives are all from Lapu-Lapu City; a forty-four (44) year old female, a forty-eight (48) year old male, and another male who is forty-two (42) years old. They are advised once discharged to continue isolation for another two (2) weeks in their respective homes. The additional laboratory negative has increased the regional number to twenty eight (28) which is more than double the recorded deaths in the region.
The additional confirmed cases have further decreased the case fatality rate or the percentage of deaths among those who are infected with COVID-19 from 2.2% to 2.0%. It still lower compared to the global average of 6.4%.
As we continue with this pandemic, it is worth emphasizing the profiles of our newly diagnosed cases. Most, if not all, are young and healthy and do not need to be admitted in a health facility as compared to the first few cases recorded in the region who were sick and older. The shift in the profile also reflects the way the new cases are identified; either they were tested after contact tracing activities were done or from those who were seeking consult at local health clinics if not feeling well.
The testing being conducted right now in the jail facilities will continue. However, it should be emphasized that the diagnosed cases are isolated from the general jail population. The Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) Regional Office has ensured that sick persons in their facilities are isolated and treated. The DOH CVCHD will continue to coordinate with the BJMP and the local government units to ensure our persons deprived of liberty (PDLs) are protected and given the necessary attention in these trying times.
We remind everyone to continue to be patient and understanding with all the measures we are making to fight COVID-19. It should be emphasized that this vigilance should not be a reason for discriminating against our frontline health workers who risk their lives daily to take care of the sick. We assure our health workers the support of the DOH CVCHD and other national agencies against discrimination in all forms.
We will win this fight if we fight together and not against each other. Together we will heal as one.
God bless us all.
JAIME S. BERNADAS, MD, MGM, CESO III
Director IV
LHSD/VPB
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