Soccksargen still free of COVID-19 as 2 persons checked for virus test negative

KORONADAL CITY–The Soccsksargen region remained free of COVID-19 after two persons who had been checked tested negative for the virus, according to a health official here.

Tests made on a third person, however, have not been released yet.

Arjohn Gangoso,  health education and promotion officer of the Department of Health (DOH), said the third person was still being observed in a hospital in the region.

Gangoso said the regional DOH office was still awaiting results of lab tests from the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The two who tested negative had been discharged.

Of 60 persons being monitored by the Regional Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit in Soccksargen, 45 had completed their 14-day quarantine period without showing any COVID-19 symptoms, the DOH said in a statement.

The other 15 were still in home quarantine, including 10 in Cotabato province, 3 in General Santos City and 2 in South Cotabato.

Soccksargen or Region 12 also includes the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of Koronadal, Tacurong and Kidapawan.

The DOH regional office reminded the public to heed precautionary advice given by the department—regularly wash hands, cover nose or mouth when sneezing or coughing, avoid crowded places, eat nutritious food and immediately seek medical help if showing symptoms of COVID-19.

Edited by TSB