11 new COVID-19 patients in Negros Oriental came from Cebu

CEBU, Philippines — The Province of Negros Oriental reported 11 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, July 4, and all 11 patients have come from Cebu, seven of whom are soldiers deployed to Cebu to help implement quarantine measures.

The 11 cases brought to 16 the number of active cases in the province as of yesterday.

"Assistant Provincial Health Officer Dr. Liland Estacion announces in a press briefing this morning at the BOM Office, Perdices Coliseum that Negros Oriental has 11 new cases of Covid-19 infection… Dr. Estacion noted that all of the new cases came from Cebu. With this update, the number of active Covid-19 cases in Negros Oriental is now at 16," reads a report of the Philippine Information Agency in Negros published on its Facebook page Saturday.

The report said one of the 11 is a 36-year old man from Guihulngan City who is the son-in-law of a 79-year-old patient who earlier tested positive for the disease. They both came from Cebu and arrived in the province on June 19.

The 36-year-old man underwent a swab test on June 30 and result of the test came on July 3. He is in a quarantine facility of the local government unit.

Another patient is a 45-year-old man from Sibulan town who is an Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR). He is also at a government-designated quarantine facility.

A 36-year-old woman from Silab, Amlan came from Mandaue City, Cebu and arrived in Negros on June 25. Swab samples were taken from her on June 30 and test result came out evening on July 3.

The woman reportedly developed cough and fever on June 26 but her condition improved three days later. She is staying at an LGU isolation facility.

A 20-year-old man from Jimalalud town who also came from Cebu tested positive for COVID-19 but is asymptomatic. Swab samples were taken from him on June 30 and his test result came out also on July 3. He is staying at an LGU isolation facility.

The seven officers of the Philippine Army who helped implement quarantine guidelines in Cebu are now at an isolation facility inside the 302nd Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Tanjay City. They are experiencing mild symptoms of the disease.

The soldiers returned to Negros on June 21 and were isolated until swab samples were taken from them on June 30. Test results came out on July 3.

Meanwhile, a 48-year-old man from Dumaguete City is confined at a private hospital. A second swab test found him positive of COVID-19.  JMO (FREEMAN)