CAUAYAN CITY –– After more than six months of being free of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the island province of Batanes recorded its first COVID case on Monday, local officials said Tuesday. Dr. Rio Magpantay, Department of Health regional director, on Tuesday said the patient is a locally stranded individual (LSI) who went home to Batanes on Sept. 22 via a Philippine Air Force chopper. ADVERTISEMENTAlthough asymptomatic, the man was isolated at the Batanes Resort while his condition is being “strictly observed and managed.”“The patient is currently with no symptoms, however, for precautionary measure, the patient is under strict isolation at the Batanes Resort and being strictly observed and managed,” the LGU said of the confirmed case. “All identified ‘close contacts’ and other LSIs under quarantine are being strictly monitored by the Provincial COVID-19 Task Group,” the LGU added. As of Sept. 28, the Philippines has 307,288 COVID-19 cases, with 252,665 recoveries and 5,284 deaths.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer September 29, 2020 03:01 UTC