Recovery of city’s first COVID-19 patient hailed

ILOILO City – In Western Visayas, two persons with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have so far recovered.

The latest to recuperate was a 61-year old female – this city’s first and the region’s third COVID-19 case.

The Medical City (TMC) in Molo district confirmed that the woman was discharged from the hospital on April 3.

A repeat test showed her to be negative of SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes COVID-19, according to TMC chief executive officer Dr. Felix Ray Villa.

She made a complete recovery, he announced.

TMC described her as “the first COVID-19 survivor of Panay Island” and a milestone not only for the hospital but to the Ilonggo community.

“We acknowledge our healthcare workers, critical team and the entire TMC Iloilo workforce for the bravery and kindness shown during these challenging times,” a statement from TMC read.

WATCH: Panay Island sees light as its first #COVID-19 survivor has exited the battlegroundThe Medical City Iloilo is grateful to announce that yesterday, April 3, 2020, Panay Island’s first #COVID-19 survivor has already been discharged after showing negative results on her repeat test for the virus.In a Facebook post, the hospital said “this touching moment inspires our #HealthcareHeroes to keep on fighting and win this battle.”May this also be a source of inspiration to everyone to continue supporting and trusting our healthcare workers and frontliners and doing their part to end this pandemic, it added.We are all in this together.#TMCIloilo #PatientsArePartners #BravestAndKindest🎥: The Medical City Iloilo

Posted by Panay News on Saturday, April 4, 2020

The hospital thanked city and provincial governments of Iloilo, private companies, organizations, and private individuals who gave support.

“We’re in this together. We will continue to fight this battle, protect the community and observe healthcare standards in taking care of our patient partners,” TMC added.

The first to make a complete recovery from COVID-19 was the region’s first patient – a 56-year-old male from Bacolod City with a travel history to London and Manila.

He was hospitalized on March 6.

Most people (about 80 percent) recover from the disease without needing special treatment, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Older people, however, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness, said WHO.

People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales.

These droplets also land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth.

The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough.

Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don’t develop any symptoms and don’t feel unwell./PN