CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — A newborn baby is among the 12 new coronavirus (COVID-19) cases recorded in Cebu province, the Department of Health in Central Visayas (DOH-7) said.
In a statement released by the DOH-7 on Tuesday night, the baby boy is being monitored at a hospital in Cebu City.
The DOH-7 said the boy’s mother was tested for COVID-19 when she exhibited symptoms of the disease before giving birth on April 20.
She, however, tested negative of the dreaded virus.
On delivery, swab samples were also taken from the baby who tested positive for the virus.
Out of the 12 new cases in Cebu, seven were from Cebu City while three were from Mandaue City.
Two new cases were also recorded in Lapu-Lapu City.
According to Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella, the two new COVID-19 patients from the Cebu City Jail are now confined in a hospital.
One COVID-19 case was recorded at the fish port in Barangay Suba, two from San Antonio in Barangay Calamba, one from Katipunan Street in Barangay Labangon, and another in Barangay Hipodromo.
The new cases have brought to 173 the total number of COVID-19 cases in Cebu City.
The three new cases in Mandaue were recorded in Barangay Cambaro, a densely populated area at the central portion of the city, according to the city’s information office.
Two of the COVID-19 positive patients were women aged 60 and 20 while the third case is a 16-year-old boy.
All three are confined at the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
“The Mandaue City Health Office and the CDRRMO have already disinfected and cordoned off the areas involved and have instructed them (residents) to undergo strict home quarantine. No one can come in and out of the area,” said the Mandaue City PIO in its announcement on social media.
With 12 new cases, Cebu province now has a total of 198 COVID-19 cases including seven deaths and 21 recoveries.
These included the 173 cases in Cebu City, three cases in Cebu province, 13 cases in Lapu-Lapu City, and nine cases in Mandaue City.