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The Department of Health-Center for Health (DOH-CHD) Mimaropa explained that the PUI-10 who died yesterday was not included in the regional COVID-19 tracker issued on that day as they received the information about the patient after the cut-off time.
In an official statement issued by the regional health office tonight, March 18, it stated that the deceased individual was just reported as Patient Under Investigation (PUI) last Tuesday by the local health unit to the Regional Epidemiology Surveillance Unit (RESU), that is why the details about him were not reflected in the list of PUI’s all over Mimaropa.
The 37-year-old male patient who died yesterday, has a history of travel to Metro Manila but was not reported immediately to DOH as a PUI.
But DOH explained that they knew about the patient’s demise only this morning which was announced by City Information Officer Richard Ligad thru the social media.
The said PUI was admitted at the Ospital ng Palawan (ONP) last March 16 because of other illness, according to the DOH-CHD. And that time, although not declared yet as PUI by the regional health department, specimen sample was taken from him and sent to RITM to be tested for COVID-19.
They explained that upon receiving the information, the data will not right away be included in the list because it will undergo a data validation process that may take time.
“Ang data validation ay depende sa data na kulang, sa availability ng source of information. Kung sa isang validation process ay maging malinaw na ang need na info, then right there and then, tapos na ang validation,” DOH RESU head Noel Orosco said in one of his comments in the groupchat.
According to DOH CHD Mimaropa, based on their initial investigation and available data, it was found out that the patient has a pre-existing serious infection prior to his hospitalization.
“The DOH-CHD Mimaropa is currently gathering further details on the recent death and is working closely with the local government unit regarding appropriate action on this matter and the necessary care for the remains of the expired patient,” the statement reads.
The Department reiterated that they are upholding truthful reporting and competent service to Mimaropans.
Meanwhile, based on the latest report by the agency around past 9:00 PM today, March 18, there are already 32 PUI’s in Palawan and in the City of Puerto Princesa, including the expired patient but they assured the public that the province has still no COVID-19 confirmed cases.
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