CAMIGUIN (PIA)--"Wala man gud sila'y detection station didto, kamulo pa ang atong RT-PCR so ang ilang gibuhat, mag-swab dinhi; imagine the time mag-swab, ipadala pa dinhi, so ma-delay."
(Camiguin doesn't have a detection station and the construction of the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) laboratory there is still ongoing. So what they did is they send the swabbed specimens here. So imagine the time for swabbing then sending it here; there will really be delays)
During the Northern Mindanao COVID-19 Response Task Force press conference, July 9, Department of Health (DOH)-10 Regional Director Dr. Jose Llacuna said given the delay on obtaining the results, the Provincial Government of Camiguin along with the health officials in the province will most likely find it difficult to determine those who are positive on COVID-19.
He added that it would take about three days to know the results of the RT-PCR tests; giving the possible confirmed COVID-19 cases to spread the virus in the province in a short span of time.
To address such concern, Llacuna said they sent rapid antigen testing kits to help in the 'detection' of possible COVID-19 cases as well as viral transport medium so the swabbed specimens can be transported immediately in Cagayan de Oro City for RT-PCR testing.
DOH-10 also prioritizes the construction of the RT-PCR laboratory in Camiguin to speedily act on the rising cases in the province.
On isolation management, Llacuna said the local government units (LGUs) in Camiguin are urged to place suspect cases in isolation units and minimize home quarantine to contain the spread of the virus.
The regional director also asked the local government to increase the COVID-19 ward beds in their hospital so health authorities can observe if there are moderate cases and if there is a necessity to refer them to the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC) in Cagayan de Oro.
With proper detection, isolation, quarantine and immunization, Llacuna said the province can overcome the current health crisis.
As of July 8, the province has recorded 148 COVID-19 confirmed cases of which 103 are from Mambajao, Mahinog (9), Guinsiliban (18), Sagay (6), and Catarman (8).
The other four are availing the no quarantine policy. Five deaths were also recorded in the province.
There are also 801 persons with history of travel or COVID-19 exposure of which 586 are from Mambajao, 43 from Mahinog, 85 from Guinsiliban, 8 from Sagay, and 79 from Catarman. (RTP/PIA-10)
