Bicol posts 6 new Covid-19 cases
The Department of Health (DOH) Bicol has recorded six new cases of Covid-19, which brought to 10 the total number of confirmed cases in the region as of 5:00 PM, Wednesday, Apr. 1.
The six new cases, aside from the earlier four, were: a 65-year old male; a 40-year old male; a 43-year old male; and a 43-year old male, all from Albay province. The first three had close contacts with Covid-19 positive patients, while the last has a history of travel from Manila.
The other Covid-19 patients were: a 30-year old Filipino female from Naga City, admitted at the Bicol Medical Center (BMC). The patient has a travel history from United Arab Emirates and Caloocan City. She is categorized as the fifth case in Bicol.
A 60-year old Filipino female from Camarines Sur is the sixth confirmed case in the region. She has a travel history from Manila and consulted at a local health facility after experiencing symptoms.
These cases were among those announced by the DOH central office earlier. The same were validated and confirmed by DOH Bicol.
All the Covid-19 patients are in stable condition. The DOH said updates will be released in coordination with hospitals and local government units (LGU) as soon as data become available.
The LGU where the six new patients belonged had been provided the necessary information, so that they can initiate precautionary measures and assist in the contact tracing of people who may have been exposed to the patients.
The LGU are given the discretion to announce additional information particularly actions taken in relation to the confirmed cases, provided that they adhere to the provisions of the Data Privacy Act to protect the patients from discrimination, the DOH said.
Identities and personal information of Covid-19 patients or suspected cases may only be made public with their consent or as required by law for the purpose of public safety.
The DOH has received reports that Covid-19 patients whose identities were divulged in the social media, have been receiving discriminatory, racist and slanderous comments as well as threats to their lives.
It also reminded individuals who are peddling lies, false information and accusations on social media that these acts are illegal and violation of Republic Act 11332 or “An Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern, and Appropriating Funds Therefor, Repealing for the Purpose Act No. 3573, Otherwise Known as the “Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases.”
Same acts are also punishable under Republic Act 11469 otherwise known as the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act.
The DOH also reminded all LGU to follow established protocol in the reporting of Covid-19 cases to prevent panic and alarm.
It also appealed to the public to stay home. (DOH press release)