Health authorities of Cagayan de Oro, led by epidemiologist Dr. Joselito Retuya from the City Health Office (CHO), reported during the May 4 press briefing that a total of 181 individuals have already been traced for possible exposure to the 21-year-old COVID-19 patient.

The total exposed individuals are composed of 91 health workers from the Northern Mindanao Medical Center (NMMC); 40 private hospital workers including 7 doctors; 35 rescuers at the time of the accident; 15 family members, friends, visitors, and fellow passengers of the said patient during the vehicular accident.

As of this morning, 59 of them have undergone the swab test for COVID-19. The specimens will then be sent to the Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) for testing and confirmation.

The 21-year-old man was rushed to the NMMC after he figured in a vehicular accident on April 19, and he underwent a spinal surgery on April 21. He was transferred to a private hospital on April 22, but was moved back to the NMMC after he tested positive for COVID-19.

The city officials have assured the public that they have intensified the active surveillance and contact tracing of people who have been exposed to the fourth patient from Cagayan de Oro City confirmed to have been infected by COVID-19.

“We would like to convey to the public that all these people have been contacted already and were given proper instructions on how to go about their quarantine,” said CHO Chief Dr Lorraine Nery.

In light of recent events, City Mayor Oscar Moreno has warned the public to strictly comply with the existing safety protocols under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ) Guidelines.

Moreno also issued today a seven-page memorandum clarifying and reiterating the Executive Order 112, dated April 30, 2020, issued by President Rodrigo Duterte on "Imposing an Enhanced Community Quarantine in High-Risk Geographical areas of the Philippines and a General Community Quarantine in the rest of the country from May 1-15, 2020, Adopting the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation thereof, and for Other Purposes."

Under the said memo, the movement of all people in areas under GCQ shall only be limited to accessing essential goods and services. Moreno also has mandated everyone to observe physical distancing and to wear their face masks when going to public places.