PUERTO PRINCESA CITY—Authorities in the town of Roxas in northern Palawan province are planning to lock down one village after a suspected case of local coronavirus transmission there.
Dr. Leo Salvino, municipal health officer of Roxas, said on Thursday (Aug. 13) that a patient, a 40-year-old man returning to the province after being stranded, has breached health protocols after his release from quarantine.
“He went to a wake, had a drinking session, went to church without face mask and face shield,” said Salvino.
The man, who has since left for Metro Manila, have had three contacts who recently tested positive for coronavirus. They included the man’s two daughters, aged three and four, and a 34-year-old friend he played basketball with.
The patient first arrived in Palawan sometime in July. He completed his 14-day quarantine period on July 24 in one of the Roxas’ quarantine facilities.
He has reportedly flown back to Metro Manila on Aug. 3 to report for work. On Aug. 7, tests showed he was still infected with SARS Cov2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
“The patient is no longer here but he left a problem, particularly in his barangay,” said Salvino.
Pending an order from the town’s mayor, Salvino said contact tracing is ongoing to hunt other persons who have encountered the man.