Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Photo courtesy of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
The number of COVID-19 cases in Eastern Visayas climbed to 19, the Department of Health (DOH) Region 8 said Friday.
Five of the new cases were recorded in Tarangnan town in Samar, the DOH Region 8 said in a bulletin.
The patients will be transferred to the Tarangnan Community Hospital for medical assessment and isolation.
Meanwhile, Tarangnan Mayor Arnel Tan and some of his staff also tested negative for COVID-19, DOH Region 8 revealed.
The town mayor urged his constituents to follow health protocols and stay at home to curb the spread of the virus.
Due to the new COVID-19 infections in Tarangnan, Tan said their response operation has been affected as many frontline workers had to be isolated.
Some 21 town police personnel were isolated after 6 of them were tagged as “probable” COVID-19 cases. They will be replaced by a new troop.
“While the municipality of Tarangnan is doing their best to respond to this situation, let us support them in this time of crisis. Let us help each other the bayanihan way,” DOH Region 8 Director Minerva Molon said in a statement.
To date, the Philippines has tallied 10,463 coronavirus infections, of whom 696 died while 1,734 recovered.
- Report from Jenette Fariola-Ruedas, ABS-CBN News
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