ILOILO CITY –– The Department of Health in Western Visayas (DOH-6) on Saturday reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in Iloilo, the second in the region.

The 65-year-old male patient, who is in “critical condition,” has no history of travel to areas with COVID-19 cases, but was exposed to a relative coming from Japan, according to Dr. Marlyn Convocar, DOH Western Visayas director.

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Convocar told reporters in a news conference that the patient began experiencing cough and fever on March 6 and was admitted to a hospital in Iloilo City on March 13.

The DOH received the results on Saturday morning.

Iloilo City Jerry Treñas lost his cool and uttered expletives during the press conference after unofficial reports on the confirmed case came out on social media before the press conference.

He castigated those posting unconfirmed reports and told them to wait for official announcements from the DOH.

The DOH on Friday evening reported the first positive case of COVID-19 in Western Visayas in Bacolod City, Negros Occidental.

The 56-year-old male patient has a history of travel to the United Kingdom. The city and province of Iloilo have imposed enhanced quarantine measures to help slow down the spread of the disease.

Edited by LZB

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For more information on COVID-19, call the DOH Hotline: (02) 86517800 local 1149/1150.

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