BUT NO LOCAL SPREAD YET: Coronavirus infects three more in Antique

By Emme Rose Santiagudo

Three more workers in Semirara island in Caluya town in Antique were infected by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), bringing the total cases in the province to five as of April 17, 2020.

While the new cases in Antique were close contacts of the first case in the province, the Department of Health-Center for Health Development in Western Visayas (DOH-CHD) 6 said local transmission of COVID-19 is not yet established in Antique.

“There is still no scientific data to establish that there is local transmission in Antique. Ang transmission nag-occur within the same environment and workplace. It is still too early to say that there is local transmission,” Dr. Ma. Sophia Pulmones, spokesperson of DOH-CHD-6, said in an online briefing on Friday.

Based on Case Bulletin No. 22, the three new cases are WV Patient No. 43 or a 45-year-old male from Caluya, Antique; WV Patient No. 44, a 59-year-old male from Caluya, Antique; and WV Patient No.55, a 65-year-old male from Caluya, Antique.

Antique Governor Rhodora Cadiao said in a statement that the three new cases in Antique are all residents of Cebu City. They arrived in Semirara island last March 12.

Pulmones said the three patients are asymptomatic and are undergoing a facility-based quarantine.

“All of them are asymptomatic meaning wala sila sang mga symptoms. They are on facility-based quarantine. Na-isolate na sila halin sa pag-identify nga close contact sila sang WV Patient No. 35,” she said.

WV Patient No. 35, a 74-year-old male resident of Parañaque City, Metro Manila, was the first COVID-19 case in Antique. He arrived in Brgy. Semirara, Semirara island in Antique last March 9.

Pulmones warned that local transmission is always possible in Antique, Hence, she reminded residents to stay at home and follow quarantine protocols.

“Ang ginahambal naton the threat of local transmission is always there. Gani ang ginasulit-sulit naton is stay at home kay ang threat later on may ara gid na panglapta. Stay at home and obey the quarantine protocols,” she said.

Caluya Mayor Rigil Kent Lim has issued Executive Order (EO) No. 25 last April 7 mandating the temporary lockdown in Semirara Island following the first confirmed case.

As of Friday, Western Visayas has 45 COVID-19 cases with seven deaths and eight recoveries.