DOH Caraga confirms 3 new COVID-19 cases

The Department of Health (DOH) Caraga confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday afternoon, May 31, 2020, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in the region to eight.

The three new cases are returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) and locally stranded individuals (LSIs) who arrived in the region on May 26, 2020.

Aged 26, 41, and 37, all three new cases are males from Butuan City and Agusan del Sur and showed no symptoms of COVID-19.

Their initial RT-PCR tests in Manila were negative, but after arriving in Caraga, they underwent rapid tests and were placed in strict quarantine.

Confirmatory RT-PCR tests conducted at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) Sub-National laboratory turned out positive.

DOH Caraga is actively coordinating with local government units and other agencies for contact tracing and monitoring of all returning individuals.

Additionally, 20 negative RT-PCR test results were received for follow-up tests of existing and suspect cases, including a repeat test for the fifth COVID-19 patient.

DOH Caraga Regional Director Dr. Jose R. Llacuna, Jr. urged the public not to lower their guards during the modified general community quarantine and advised vulnerable groups to stay home unless necessary.

He also reiterated the importance of continued adherence to health precautionary measures such as hand washing, cough etiquette, and physical distancing.