17 test negative for virus in Normin; some Covid-19 patients recovering

THE Department of Health (DOH) today announced that 17 people quarantined in Region 10 and Lanao del Sur province because of the Covid-19 threat tested negative for the virus.

Dr. Adriano Suba-an, DOH director for Region 10, said the “persons under investigation” were cleared based on the laboratory test results as of March 29.

Five of those who tested negative for Covid-19 are from Misamis Oriental while another is from Misamis Occidental.

Lanao del Norte and Lanao del Sur have eight patients who tested negative or four for each province.

Suba-an said two other PUIs from Cagayan de Oro and another one in Bukidnon also tested negative for the virus.

Three of the patients tested positive for Covid-19 at first but the second round of tests showed they were already negative for the virus -- meaning, they recovered.

At city hall, Mayor Oscar Moreno said the 60-year-old man from Barangay Patag, this city, who died of severe acute respiratory illness on Monday last week tested negative for Covid-19.

Dr. Jose Chan, chief of the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC), said the 71-year-old man from downtown Cagayan de Oro who tested positive for Covid-19, is also showing signs of recovery.

But a 47-year-old man from Barangay Macabalan, this city, died of severe acute respiratory illness, acute renal failure, and sepsis on Saturday. He was not tested.

A 60-year-old woman from Barangay Nazareth, this city, also died of severe acute respiratory illness on Friday. Specimens were taken from her for testing.

There was another woman, a 30-year-old, who died of severe acute respiratory illness at the NMMC this March 18. She was listed as someone from Cugman, this city, and Lanao del Sur, and was not tested.

A 66-year-old woman from Lanao del Sur who was confined at a hospital in Kauswagan, Cagayan de Oro, before being moved to the NMMC, also tested negative for Covid-19. The woman was brought from the Laguindingan airport to the private hospital this March 13 and transferred to the NMMC this March 15. Doctors said she is recovering.

Data from the NMMC released by city hall yesterday show that seven NMMC patients, from various areas in Region 10 and Lanao del Sur, tested positive for the virus.

Two of the patients, both from Lanao del Sur, died while one subsequently tested negative as of March 29. The others are receiving treatment. (Herbie Gomez)