SIX MORE returning locally stranded individuals (LSIs) in Sarangani province have tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) for the second straight day while two additional cases were recorded in South Cotabato, officials confirmed on Thursday.
The new cases were initially reported on Wednesday night by the Department of Health (DOH)-Region 12 based on the results of confirmatory reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests.
Three of the patients were from Malungon, two from Kimba and one from Maitum in Sarangani and one each from Koronadal City and Banga in South Cotabato.
Malungon Mayor Maria Theresa Constantino said the additional Covid-19 patients in the area were returning residents who arrived from Manila last July 8 aboard a Partas passenger bus commissioned by the national government’s Hatid Tulong program.
She said the LSIs were directly brought to the town’s isolation center upon arrival at the designated drop-off area in Isulan town, Sultan Kudarat.
They were subjected to swab collection for RT-PCR testing on July 13 and the results came out positive on Wednesday afternoon, she said.
Constantino said the three are in “stable condition” and the contact-tracing activities are being conducted by the Municipal Health Office.
“(But) they have no other physical contacts within the municipality aside from their fellow passengers in the bus and health workers who transported them to the isolation facility,” she said in a statement.
One of them, a 25-year-old female, is currently quarantined at the provincial isolation center, while the two others -- a 23-year-old female and two-year-old girl -- are being processed for transfer to the same facility, she said.
In Kiamba town, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office reported that the two male LSIs from the area who turned out positive for Covid-19 also arrived last July 8 through Hatid Tulong.
The two, who were aged 18 and 21-years old, had a travel history to Quezon City. They tested negative in rapid antibody screening before returning home and came out positive in the confirmatory RT-PCR test.
The report said the patients are in stable condition and remain asymptomatic as of Wednesday night.
The additional case in Maitum town was a 32-year-old female from Barangay Mabay who arrived last July 9 aboard a commercial flight from Manila to this city, said municipal health officer Dr. Junie Basmillo.
She said the patient was directly brought by local government personnel to the town’s isolation facility upon arrival.
“(Our) personnel took significant safety measures and followed all proper protocols in fetching the said LSI to make sure possible transmission is contained,” Basmillo said.
As of Thursday morning, confirmed Covid-19 cases in Sarangani already reached 23, with five recoveries.
Sarangani Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon advised residents to strictly follow the quarantine and safety protocols amid the increasing cases of the disease.
He allayed concerns about the additional positive cases among returning residents, noting that they were all properly isolated.
“All our active cases are mostly asymptomatic, in stable condition and we’re waiting for them two undergo two straight swab tests. They will be discharged if they turn out negative,” he told PNA in a text message.
Meantime, the two new cases in South Cotabato were a 29-year-old female who returned home last July 13 and a 34-year-old female who arrived on July 6.
The two, who had a travel history to Manila and Taguig City, were in stable condition, the DOH-12 said in a situation report.
The Covid-19 cases in South Cotabato as of Wednesday night has increased to 35, with 17 recoveries. (By Richelyn Gubalani)
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