Century-old Baguio resident beats COVID-19

SOBER, SILENT. Life in laidback Baguio City has slowed down even further due to restrictions posed to combat the coronavirus. But residents have returned to their routines having learned to live with the disease. PHOTO BY EV ESPIRITU

BAGUIO CITY — A century-old Baguio resident could be the oldest man in the country to beat the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

The 106-year-old resident of Barangay Irisan was discharged on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center, where he has been confined after testing positive for the virus on Oct. 9, according to the city information office.

Details about his identity have not been released although City Health Services Officer Rowena Galpo said the senior citizen displayed mild symptoms when he was sent to the hospital.

The rate of infection in the summer capital spiked in September shortly before it opened its borders to tourists, due to two outbreaks involving the city abattoir and a building that houses police trainees.

As of Monday, Oct. 19, the city recorded 21 fatalities with the passing of a 77-year-old woman. The total number of infections reached 1,704 but 1,094 of them have healed from the disease. Local hospitals are treating 589 patients as of Oct. 19.

The city government has eased many restrictions on movement to help restore the economy but has put up health campaigns urging residents to remain vigilant.

ZB