COVID-19 patient’s burial in North Cotabato stirs panic

NORTH COTABATO, Philippines  – Reports that a 45-year-old man buried in Barangay Taculen in Matalam town died of the coronavirus disease 2019 have caused panic among residents.

The man who had been confined in a hospital in Davao City was found infected with the virus two days after his test result was released.

“We are calling on those who went to the wake of the victim and those who joined in the burial ceremony to come out for proper screening by our health personnel,” North Cotabato Gov. Nancy Catamco said.

Catamco said 28 of the more than 60 people who attended the wake and burial have been traced and are under quarantine.