Six more from Moruca test positive for COVID-19

By Isanella Patoir

Two family members of the first COVID-19 victim from Moruca in the North-West District, Region One along with four persons from the local hospital, have tested positive for the disease.

They are among the new COVID-19 cases recorded as of May 28, 2020.

Vincent Torres, 59, who died last Friday, became the country’s 11th death from COVID-19 and the first death from Region One.

The News Room was reliably informed that health employees from the Kumaka District Hospital where Mr Torres was treated before he died also tested positive on Thursday.

A doctor, a medex, a security guard and another health worker are among the six new cases in the Region.

Regional Health Officer, Dr Steve Cheefon, in the Ministry of Public Health’s daily COVID-19 update Thursday said they are screening everyone who enters the region at the airstrips and seaports.

Dr Cheefon said 27 tests have been conducted so far in the region. Isolation facilities were established at Baramita, Matthews Ridge, Port Kaituma, Moruca, Kwebana and Waramuri.

The family members of Moruca’s first COVID-19 case have been tested positive and are also in quarantine for 14 days,

One of the relatives in quarantine told the News Room that a total of 11 family members are in quarantine but the others have not been tested as yet.

A 52-year-old businesswoman – Lolita Wong of Mabaruma – was the first person to have been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the region but she has since recovered.