DAVAO CITY – The City Government of Davao announced today that government offices will “move to a work-at-home and on-call operations” effective 31 March 2020. This came shortly after reports came out that 3 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients have died in the Davao region.
A Southern Philippines Medical Center (SPMC) bulletin issued Saturday confirmed that there are twenty-six (26) confirmed cases of the dreaded disease and that three (3) of them have died. A total of 23 patients are currently confined in hospitals. According to SPMC Chief Dr. Leopoldo Vega, the reported statistics cover the entire Davao region.
The Department of Health (DOH) announced Friday that the death toll has reached 54 as of Friday and new cases were confirmed bringing the total number of COVID-19 patients in the country to 803.
The official statement of Davao City indicated that there have been identified persons under investigation (PUIs) in the City Hall. Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio had ordered all employees to work from home and render services on an on-call basis.
This preventive measure will not disrupt public service, the statement said, as released by the City Information Office. City Hall will continue receiving documents at the Davao City Recreation Center (Almendras Gymnasium).
Further, Departments and Offices involved in the delivery of basic social services, health, sanitation, public safety and security, preparedness and response to disaster and calamities will maintain full operations following stricter guidelines on disinfection and physical distancing.