July 27, 2022
Davao City Acting City Health Officer Dr. Ashley Lopez said that 153 individuals have now recovered from diarrhea since the outbreak was officially declared in Toril on July 17.
Lopez, in an interview over the Davao City Disaster Radio on Wednesday, said the recoveries make up 53 percent of the 288 cases recorded as of July 26 based on data from the Incident Command Center (ICC).
Of the recoveries, 47 are from Toril B Health Center, 24 from Mediquest Hospital, 20 from St. John Hospital, 16 from Ernesto Guadalupe Hospital, 14 from Malta Medical Hospital, 11 from the Southern Philippines Medical Center, 9 from St. Felix Hospital, 8 from Viacrusis Hospital, one from the Adventist Hospital, another one from Anda Riverview Medical Center, one from a private physician. The other one is still under verification to determine if the case was linked to the outbreak. Lopez said the recoveries are good news.
Currently, there are 39 patients or 14 percent under hospitalization, 63 or 22 percent are outpatient and 22 or 10 percent are for verification. These patients are from Alambre, Bangkas Heights, Baracatan, Bato, Binugao, Camansi, Catigan, Crossing Bayabas, Daliao, Daliao Plantation, Eden, Lizada, Lubogan, Marapangi, Mulig, Sirawan, Toril Proper and Tungkalan.
Lopez however said that the cases from Tungkalan are still under verification because the cases there might not be related to the outbreak. A separate report will be submitted by the CHO regarding this matter.
Lopez also noted that the number of daily cases decreased from the highest number or 78 recorded cases in one day on July 15 to only four cases on July 24, 2022. Currently, there are 130 active cases in hospitals.
Unfortunately, the CHO recorded a fifth death related to the outbreak. Adding to the list is a 36-year old male, who is about to be married soon, who ate street food and tapioca along Rasay St. Toril on July 14. The patient manifested diarrhea symptoms starting July 15 and tried to manage the disease at home until July 22. On the same day, he was rushed to St. Felix Hospital and due to the severity of his case, was transferred to the Adventist Hospital hospital but he died in the emergency room and was declared dead on arrival. The cause of death is severe dehydration and massive electrolyte losses.
Lopez said that the patient could have suffered from “bacterial sepsis”, which resulted in complications and multiple organ failures. He also noted that the patient reportedly did not immediately seek medical intervention at the onset of symptoms and tried to manage the symptoms on his own.
He said that the CHO, in collaboration with agencies and other offices, did its best to block possible sources that might have led to possible cases of diarrhea. The intervention of a temporary ban on selling was among the mitigation measure. The ICC report as of July 26, 2022 reveals that 97 or 34 percent of the patients were exposed to street food from Rasay St. Toril and 53 or 18 percent were exposed at the Toril Public Market.
“Atong na-block dayon ang possible transmission na related sa food and sa water-borne diseases (We have blocked the possible transmission that is related to food and water-borne diseases),” Lopez said, adding that among the activities conducted is the temporary stoppage of street food selling on Rasay and the Toril Public Market.
“We are able to gather 400 street vendors and let them undergo testing, orientation and food handlers class. As of now, they are still not allowed to sell street food but I want to assure them na dlili na ni magdugay ( that it will not take long before this suspension will be lifted),” Lopez said.
He added that they have already received the final report from the Epidemiologic Bureau on their findings on the cause of the diarrhea outbreak and they are now in the process of consolidating all of the findings of the laboratory test results conducted to come up with a “final conclusive comprehensive report” that will be presented to Mayor Sébastian “Baste” Duterte tomorrow, July 28, 2022, 2 pm.
Diarrhea patients can still go to the ICC in Toril Health Center B located in front of the Magsaysay Elementary School, where patients are given free medicine such as Doxycycline among other options. They also distribute granules for the sterilization of water. The ICC is open 24/7 and can be reached at 0956-756-5571. CIO
