Davao Occidental confirms first Covid-19 case

Davao Occidental recorded its first coronavirus case on Tuesday, May 5.

The patient is a 65-year-old woman from Malita town who died at the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) and had pre-existing health conditions.

Health officials are tracing her contacts and suspect she may have contracted the virus during her hospital stay in Davao City despite no travel history to known hotspots.

A lockdown is implemented in her barangay, with rapid testing for about 2,800 residents planned for Wednesday.

The provincial government will heighten existing quarantine measures and extend assistance to the patient's family.