ILOILO CITY, March 25 (PIA6) - - The Western Visayas Medical Center here started testing samples for corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on Tuesday, March 24.
“We are happy to announce that Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) is now ready to accept specimens for examination,” said Dr. Marlyn Convocar, Regional Director of the Department of Health - Center for Health Development VI (DOH-CHD VI).
Prior to this, samples from the region for examination are brought to accredited hospitals in Cebu and Manila.
Convocar, in a press conference yesterday held at the lobby of the National Economic Development Authority 6, said WVMC is the only sub national reference laboratory in the region to date.
According to her, DOH Central Office has also assured to send about 5,000 COVID-19 test kits.
She emphasized that availment of the test kits at WVMC will still adhere to the decision tool set by DOH.
A person with severe symptoms and senior citizens who exhibit symptoms and among other co-morbidities will be prioritized for testing.
Convocar said that WVMC will also be designated as the COVID hospital in the region once the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force will be released.
With this development, mild patients under investigation with no co-morbidities and not an elderly will be admitted at Western Visayas Sanitarium in Sta. Barbara, Iloilo.
Those severe patients with co-morbidities and with severe acute respiratory infection will be admitted at WVMC.
Western Visayas now has four positive cases of COVID-19 after two new cases from Iloilo City and Capiz province were recorded on March 24. The first case was from Bacolod City and the second from Iloilo City.
With this data, Convocar called on the public to remain vigilant, to stay at home and continue to observe social distancing, handwashing and cough etiquette.
She also stressed to media the importance of giving accurate information to allay fears of the public.
Convocar said that the government is on top of the situation, urging everyone to help in the fight against COVID-19.
During the press conference, Convocar was joined by Office of Civil Defense 6 Director Jose Roberto Nuñez, who is also the chair of the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council. (JSC/laf/PIA6-Iloilo)
source https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1037155
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