While Baguio City recorded three new coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) cases, three more patients have been discharged by hospitals after recovering from the infection.
On April 14, Dr. Manuel Kelly, one of the doctors who attended to a Covid-19 patient in March, was discharged from the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center. He was among the positive cases to identify themselves to the public to help facilitate contact tracing. He is the 12th patient to recover in Baguio.
Kelly posted on Facebook on April 1 that he tested positive for the Covid-19 and advised those whom he have encountered with to undergo a 14-day quarantine or seek medical attention if they exhibited the symptoms of the infection.
During the send-off, Kelly expressed his gratitude to the healthcare professionals and hospital personnel who attended to him during his two-week confinement.
“Even if they know I am a Covid-positive patient, the janitors and staff still attended to my needs without hesitation. Thank you very much,” Kelly said in his speech.
He urged the BGHMC led by Dr. Ricardo Ruñez, Jr. who was among those who greeted him during his discharge, to stay strong and continue fighting the pandemic.
On April 13, Joel Junsay, one of the Baguio healthcare frontliners who tested positive of the Covid-19, was discharged also from the BGHMC.
Junsay is the first Covid-19 patient to go public, by posting on Facebook that he tested positive for the infection in a bid to health authorities in their contact tracing. He is also Baguio’s first case of Covid-19 local transmission as he has no history of travel outside the city.
In his speech during the send-off, Junsay also expressed gratitude to the doctors and staff of BGHMC and the city government.
“I wish to thank all the doctors, nurses, and hospital workers who took care of me. No words will be enough to express my gratitude. My sincerest thanks also to Mayor (Benjamin) Magalong and to the Health Services Office for all the assistance,” Junsay said.
He also thanked all those who prayed for his recovery.
“You are all part of this unforgettable journey. Lastly, I thank the Lord for giving me another chance to live,” Junsay said.
Also on April 13, Jaysay Bactad whose husband earlier recovered from the Covid-19 infection was discharged from the Saint Louis Hospital of the Sacred Heart.
Her husband Enrique, who was discharged from the Notre Dame de Chartres Hospital on April 8, fetched her at the SLU Hospital. Magalong and SLU Hospital personnel led by Dr. Paul Quitiquit were among those who sent her off and witnessed the couple’s emotional reunion. – Jane B. Cadalig
