Bicol patient dies before release of COVID-19 positive test result

PILI, Camarines Sur — A 66 year-old patient  who died early Friday morning was found to be positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Monday.

“Dr. Ernie Vera, Regional Director of the Department of Health, confirmed to us that patient tested positive for COVID-19,” Naga City Mayor Nelson Legacion said.

Legacion added that “the patient complained of fever, difficulty of breathing and chest pain on April 2.”

The patient,  a resident of Barangay  Calauag, was brought to NICC Doctors Hospital in Naga City at about 10 p.m.  on the same day but was later transferred to Bicol Medical Center for swab testing, said Legacion.

“At about 1:00 a.m. of April 3, (the) patient died. He was immediately cremated upon the advice of the City Health Officer.”

“All persons who had primary and secondary contact with the patient were quarantined. Initial investigation reveals that patient has no travel history in Metro Manila or outside the country,” the mayor added.

Legacion said the city government of Naga “has ordered the re-disinfection of the entire barangay and placed most parts of the said community under extreme community quarantine.

GSG