Negros Oriental confirms first COVID-19 case

Negros Oriental confirmed its first COVID-19 case, a 64-year-old male councilor from Tayasan town, who is the 39th confirmed case in the country.

The patient traveled to Manila from February 26 to March 1 to attend a convention and is currently in the intensive care unit of a private hospital with severe pneumonia.

Four members of his family are being assessed for flu-like symptoms and may be considered persons under investigation or monitoring.

Contact tracing is underway, with authorities using flight manifests and seeking police assistance to identify individuals who may have been exposed.

Some airline passengers who were on the same flight as the patient have already contacted the provincial health office.

The provincial government assures the public that they are managing the situation and urges adherence to DOH protocols.