48 new COVID-19 cases logged in Eastern Visayas

TACLOBAN CITY –– At least 48 cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were recorded in Eastern Visayas, bringing the number of infections in the region to 7,365.

The Department of Health (DOH) said the new cases are from Samar province with 30; Leyte, 13; Eastern Samar, 4; and Northern Samar, 1.

In Guiuan town, Eastern Samar, its only public hospital, Felipe Abrigo Memorial Hospital, was temporarily closed on Tuesday (Nov.10) after one of its personnel tested positive after a rapid test for the virus.

The town reported its first COVID-19-related death involving a 60-year-old man last Nov.7.

In Mercedes, also in Eastern Samar, its municipal building was shut down for three days starting on Tuesday after many municipal employees were identified to be close contacts of the town’s five COVID-19 cases.

Mayor Erwin Quiminales, in his order, said the municipal hall and its nearby buildings would be closed for disinfection. All municipal employees will be working from home.

In Bato, Leyte, five of the family members of a prisoner who earlier died due to COVID-19, also tested positive for the virus.

The local government assured its residents that the close contacts of the inmate, who died on Oct.31 due to COVID-19 complications, were immediately isolated even before the result of the swab test of the inmate was released.

ZB