The first positive case of the coronavirus disease-2019 (Covid-19) in Apayao has recovered and is back in Conner after testing negative of the virus.
The Department of Health-Cordillera on June 1 confirmed that a 28-year-old female health worker from Conner who has no travel history outside the province, tested positive of the SARS-CoV2. She is the first confirmed case for the province.
The patient who works at the Conner District Hospital and is six months pregnant was immediately confined at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao.
On June 4, Gov. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang said that the repeat swab on PH1-Apayao yielded a negative result.
Hospital personnel believed that her early recovery was due to her strong immune system despite being pregnant.
The patient was welcomed back at the Conner District Hospital with a simple ceremony by hospital personnel led by Drs. Nelson Rigor and Michele Torrado and Conner Mayor Martina Dangoy.
“Salamat po sa aking CDH family at sa lahat ng frontliners sa inyong malasakit. Malaking tulong ito para malabanan ang virus kahit alam kong may nakaambang panganip na idudulot sa inyo,” she said.
She also thanked the personnel and staff of the CVMC headed by Dr. Glen Mathew Baggao who took care of her since June 1 and made sure that she and her baby are safe and healthy.
She cited the vulnerability of frontliners to the virus.
“Isa po ako sa mga patunay na walang pinipili ang virus. I was just lucky that I’m one of the 10 to 20 percent people who showed no symptoms,” she said.
She also called on the public to continue practicing Covid-19 precautions and follow public health protocols to ensure safety from the Covid-19 infection.
“Hindi pa tapos ang ating laban, dapat lalo tayong maging alerto at lalo pang paigtingin ang pag-iingat at manatili sa bahay.”
PH1-Apayao will undergo the 14-day isolation at the hospital before going home to her family.
Meanwhile, the local task force on emerging diseases called on the indivi-duals who had contacts with the patient to coordinate with the contact tracing team.
Begtang said that the province’s first Covid-19 case shows that the virus could penetrate even the strictest defenses, can easily spread, and is fatal particularly to the vulnerable population such as pregnant women, senior citizens, and those with co-morbidities.
“I call for strictest adherence to and observance of health protocols such staying at home, physical distancing, wearing of face masks, and maintaining good hygiene. I hope for us to heal as one and for everyone to do their part in our continuing battle with this deadly pandemic,” Begtang said. – Redjie M. Cawis
