By J. Jala and Helen Castano| 07:34 PM July 20, 2020
Bohol Governor Arthur Yap has cautioned residents that a “community transmission” of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) could be caused the infection of the province’s patient, a 13-year-old boy.
“We have not been able to trace the source of the infection so the possibility exists that an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, walks amongst us,” Yap, in a video message on Facebook on Sunday.
“We have not been able to trace the source of the infection so the possibility exists that an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, walks amongst us.” Gov. Arthur Yap
Community transmission happens when there is no clear source of origin of the infection in a locality.
The boy, a resident of Barangay Dampas in Tagbilaran, is presently the youngest person who has contracted the virus in Bohol Province.
The boy was tested as part of contact tracing efforts after his cousin, a locally stranded individual (LSI), who arrived in Dampas and already went back to Manila earlier tested positive for the virus.
Fortunately, the boy, does not manifest any symptoms, and has been under home quarantine.
Yap believed that the virus has already spread out and that there is already community transmission.
“Wala ta kahibaw kung kinsa ang nakatakod ug natakdan nila, mao nga classified kini as a community transmission. Tungod niini, dako ang kahigayonan nga naay posibilidad nga matakdan ta sa sakit gikan sa usang asymptomatic carrier sa virus,” said Yap.
He urged residents to follow minimum health protocols.
“We have not been able to trace the source of the infection so the possibility exists that an asymptomatic carrier of the virus, walks amongst us. Mao nga, ako kamong pahinumduman sa pag-sunod sa health standards, kabahin sa pag-sulob sa face masks, pag sunod sa social distancing rules, pag-pabilin sa mga panimalay kung wa tay importanteng lakaw, ug kanunay nga pag-baton sa kahinlo, ” Yap said..
In a separate statement, Tagbilaran City Mayor Baba Yap said that the place where boy lives was placed under lockdown.
Meanwhile, another case of community transmission was recorded in Alicia town.
Dr. Mutya Kismet Tirol- Macuno, medical chief of Gov. Celestino Gallares Memorial Hospital (GCGMH), said in radio station dyRD that Covid-19 virus is already in Bohol.
She said a 72-year-old man from Alicia who is not an locally stranded individual (LSI), overseas Filipino workers (OFW) nor an APOR (authorized person outside residence, tested positive for COVID-19 based on the RT-PCR test result released on Friday.
He showed symptoms including dyspnea or difficulty of breathing.
Macuno said the municipal health officer called her on the condition of the man and for his immediate admission and management at the GCGMH.
