MANILA, Philippines — The nine-month-old twins, who tested positive for novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19, were isolated and being constantly monitored at the Cebu City Medical Center, the Department of Health (DOH) reported Saturday.
“Ang nabalitang siyam na buwang gulang na kambal naman ay naka-isolate na sa Cebu City Medical Center dahil bahagi sila sa itinuturing na vulnerable na population na mas maselan ang kalagayan kaya’t higit na dapat tututukan,” DOH Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said in an online press briefing.
(The nine-month-old twins are isolated in Cebu City Medical Center since they are part of the vulnerable population, they are at risk so they need to be monitored.)
To recall, two nine-month-old babies were diagnosed with the COVID-19 in Sitio Zapatera, Barangay Luz in Cebu, which was under lockdown since April 12.
As of Friday, April 17, Sitio Zapatera’s confirmed cases of the infectious disease were at 135.
But according to Vergeire, placing the area on lockdown does not mean all residents are contaminated with the disease. She explained that the area was sealed to curb the further spread of SARS-CoV-2.
“Hindi ibig sabihin nito na lahat ng residente ay positibo sa COVID-19. Hindi rin ibig sabihin nito na hindi na sila ite-test,” she said.
(This does not mean all residents are positive for coronavirus. This also does not mean they will not be tested.)
“Sila ay inilagay sa lockdown upang lumiit ang chance na kumalat ang COVID-19 sa kanilang lugar,” Vergeire added.
(They were placed under lockdown to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19 in their area.)
The health official also said Barrio Luz National High School will serve as a community quarantine facility to isolate patients with mild and no symptoms of COVID-19.
Moreover, Vergeire said the Center for Health Development for Central Visayas is constantly coordinating with the local government of Sitio Zapatera to strictly implement the lockdown measures.