DOH confirms COVID-19 in CSJDM, not in Sta. Maria

Source: Google Maps

Department of Health confirmed City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan's first case of coronavirus contrary to earlier pronouncement of President Rodrigo Duterte that it was in the town of Sta. Maria.

During the press conference, President Rodrigo Duterte announced 4 additional cases of COVID-19; West Crame, San Juan, Project 6, Quezon City, and Sta. Maria, Bulacan.

However, the following day, Sta. Maria, Bulacan Mayor Russel Pleyto denied the verification that their municipality holds the latest case of coronavirus in the country.

Hon. Russel Pleyto clarified that it was the City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan that had a positive case of the disease.

"Ito po ay paglilinaw lamang, bagong balita po na dumating sa atin sa munisipyo na nagkamali po ang ibinigay na impormasyon sa ating Pangulong Duterte. Hindi po Sta. Maria, Bulacan kundi po San Jose Del Monte, [sa] City of San Jose Del Monte po." Pleyto said.

He also mentioned that it was the Department of Health Region III that brought the news to them regarding the mistake that happened during Duterte's press conference.

However, he reminded everyone that they should remain vigilant despite being COVID-free of their town.

"Pero hindi po ito nangangahulugan na tayo po ay magsasaya na o magpapabaya sa ating tungkulin bagkus ito po ay lalo nating pagibayuhin yung ating pagbabantay yung ating mga gampanin para hindi kumalat ang nakakatakot na sakit na to" he uttered.

City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan Mayor Arthur Robes quickly responded after the news reached him that it was possibly in his locale that the COVID-19 patient resided.

"Pero hindi na importante sa amin yun... Ang importante sa amin ay kung siya man ay taga rito sa San Jose Del Monte na meron siyang bahay sa Maynila ay gumagawa na rin kami ng mga pamamaraan kung paano namin matutulungan yung kanyang pamilya at kung in case na meron siyang nahawa rito sa mga karatig naming mga kababayan namin eh patuloy yung aming ginagawang pamamaraan kung paano kami makakatulong doon sa mga pasyente na pwedeng tinamaan ng COVID-19" Robes replied earlier in an interview with Emil Sumangil in GMA News TV Quick Response Team.

He also said that the patient would be put in custody in one of the hospitals at Manila after the investigations are over.

"Alam niyo sa totoo lang itong aming mga hospital naman dito ay hindi pa rin ready for isolation room. Kung in case na meron talagang sa Maynila pa rin dadalhin yung mga pasyenteng may ganyan" he stated.