Valenzuela reports first COVID-19 case in city

Valenzuela City on Thursday confirmed its first case of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), a 34-year-old woman with no travel history to any affected country but who had been exposed to someone who recently went to Malaysia.

Malaysia closed its borders earlier this week after around 670 cases were reported in the country, with the government suspecting that the outbreak was sparked by an event attended by 16,000 pilgrims in late February.

In a statement, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said the patient had mild flu-like symptoms and was undergoing strict home quarantine. She was being monitored by the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (Cesu) which was tasked to monitor any suspected case of COVID-19 in Valenzuela.

However, some residents were concerned that the virus might spread easily since the patient had not received treatment directly from any of the city’s hospitals.

Gatchalian reassured them by saying that Cesu officials would constantly monitor her until her recovery.

“The DOH (Department of Health) protocol is being followed. The symptoms are very mild flu-like symptoms. Our hospitals in the country … are swamped already with cases. The DOH protocol dictates [admission only if] the patient has severe symptoms,” he said.