First COVID-19 related death recorded in Apayao

LUNA, Apayao, Aug. 28(PIA) -- The province  of  Apayao confirmed its first COVID-19-related death.

“The Provincial Government of Apayao is saddened to report the death of PHApayao 29 on August 22, 2020 due to Acute Respiratory Failure and was reported to have Pineal Gland Tumor with Obstructive Hydrocephalus Status Post Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt,” a social media post of the Apayao Provincial Government on Wednesday stated.
 
The patient, a 16- year old male, was the second confirmed COVID-19 positive case of the municipality of Calanasan.

Calanasan Municipal Health Officer Melendrina Abagao said the patient was hospitalized at the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) in Tuguegarao City on July 7 to July 17 due to his medical condition, and stayed there for his follow up check up.  He arrived back in Calanasan in August 3 and was placed on isolation until he was swabbed in August 10.  The result which came out in Aug. 13 yielded positive for COVID-19.

The patient was admitted at the Apayao District Hospital on August 12 due to headache, vomiting and loss of appetite, and was referred to the CVMC three days after due to his worsening symptoms of COVID-19.

Results of the repeat RT-PCR test done at the hospital yielded negative result. Consequently, the patient was discharged from CVMC in Aug. 19 and was declared to have recovered from the COVID-19. He went home to Calanasan to complete the mandatory 14-day quarantine period which was supposed to have ended in Aug. 24.
 
Unfortunately, the patient developed dizziness, nausea and vomiting again in Aug.  21 but did not seek medical consultation. He was rushed back to the Apayao District Hospital in Aug.  22 when the patient lost consciousness. He expired on the same day.
 
Result of the swab sample taken post-mortem from the patient and subjected to repeat RT-PCR testing is negative.  But despite the negative test result, the Department of Health - Cordillera Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit tagged the death of PHApayao 29 as COVID-19 related for the patient's inability to complete the required 14-day quarantine period before he could be declared fully recovered.
 
The Cordillera now has 11 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths as of Aug.  27, 2020. Baguio City recorded eight deaths, and one each for Abra, Benguet and Apayao.
 
Apayao now has a total of 32 COVID-19 positive cases, with 31 recoveries and two remaining active cases. (JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)

 

Source: Philippines Information Agency (pia.gov.ph)