19 Covid-19 cases linked to one family in Samar village

Nineteen residents of Villa Aurora village in Basey, Samar have contracted the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), all being family members and close contacts of two initial confirmed patients.

The local government of Basey has placed Villa Aurora under a two-week lockdown effective August 8 to 22 to prevent further transmission.

The youngest infected individual is a five-year-old male and the oldest is a 75-year-old female.

The Department of Health (DOH) is investigating if the outbreak constitutes community transmission.

Restricted movement is enforced within Villa Aurora, with residents prohibited from leaving their homes while contact tracing is ongoing.

The municipal disaster risk reduction and management office and the municipal social welfare and development office will provide food supply to affected families.

Neighboring villages of Balante and Cancalyas also have movement restrictions, with specific groups like minors, seniors, and pregnant women advised to stay home.

As of August 10, Basey has 50 confirmed Covid-19 cases, with 21 active cases, 19 of which are in an isolation facility and two in a local hospital.