By Emme Rose Santiagudo
Four of the five medical personnel who contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have already recovered, according to Dr. Renilyn Reyes, spokesperson of the Department of Health – Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH-CHD 6).
In an online press briefing on Thursday, Reyes said the remaining medical personnel is awaiting the result of the repeat test.
“Isa na lang ka result ang ginahulat naton. Hopefully, ang isa ka result tani mag negative siya,” she said.
Reyes said the patient remains asymptomatic and is under home quarantine.
Five health personnel in the region composed of three doctors, one nurse, and one radio technologist contracted COVID-19.
According to Reyes, two of the health workers are from Iloilo City, two are from Iloilo province, and one is from Aklan.
Reyes said the health workers did not contract the virus while administering care to their patients.
Four medical personnel had travel history while one had exposure to a person who had travel history outside of Western Visayas, she explained.
“Upon the investigation, apat sa ila may history of travel and ang isa sa ila may history of exposure with a person who has history of travel of outside Western Visayas. Meaning possible ang five health workers nakuha sa ila exposure and history of travel – possible wala ini nakuha nila sa pag administer sang ila management sang ila pasyente,” she said.
The health department has traced 109 contacts of the five COVID-19 positive medical personnel.
Reyes said 63 contacts were tested for COVID-19 wherein only one came out as positive for the virus.
“Out of the tested individuals, 49 turned out negative. Only one close contact of one of the medical personnel tested positive. We are still awaiting for the pending results,” she said.
