Baguio COVID-19 patients’ identity leak probed

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-cybercrime group to investigate the unauthorized release of identities of city residents who tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

Magalong made the request after receiving reports that the names and personal information of Baguio’s COVID patients are spreading on social media.

“This act is downright irresponsible and heartless,” Magalong said as he reminded Filipinos of the confidentiality of a patient’s identity.

He cited Section 9 of Republic Act 11332 or the Mandato-ry Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, which prohibits the disclosure of of a person’s medical condition or treatment.

Violators are penalized with one to six months imprisonment and a fine of P20,000 to P50,000.

Pampanga vice mayor gets COVID-19

As this developed, Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin of San Fernando City, Pampanga has confirmed that he tested positive for COVID-19.

In a post on social media, Lazatin announced his test results and urged all people he came in contact with to have themselves checked at the city health office.

Lazatin said he has neither traveled outside the city nor exposed himself to a person suspected to have COVID in the last two weeks.

He said he experienced occassional coughing and placed himself on quarantine.

Last week, Candaba Mayor Rene Maglangue confirmed he tested positive for the virus.

Meanwhile, in Bulacan, an eight-month-old boy from San Jose del Monte City became the youngest to contract the virus in the province.

The provincial health office reported that as of Saturday afternoon, 32 cases were added to the list of COVID patients.

Of the figure, 14 were recorded in San Jose del Monte; three each in Bocaue and Malolos; two each in Angat, Hagonoy and Meycauayan, and one each in Calumpit, Doña Remedios Trinidad, Marilao, Paombong, San Miguel and Santa Maria.

Two have recovered from the disease and a 56-year-old woman from San Jose del Monte died.

The figures brought the total number of cases in the province to 1,078 and deaths at 46.

The province of Bataan recorded four new cases, bringing the total number to 300 as of Saturday.

Of the new cases, three were women, according to the provincial health office.

Gov. Albert Garcia urged residents to observe cleanliness and disinfect frequently used items at home such as phones, door knobs and light switches. – Ramon Efren Lazarao, Ric Sapnu, Raymund Catindig