Six more patients in Eastern Visayas have tested positive of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Department of Health (DOH) said on Monday.

In a virtual press conference, DOH Eastern Visayas Director Minerva Molon said all new cases were contacts of the region’s Patient No. 6 from Tarangnan in Samar.

“We could now say that there is a community transmission. Four of them had close exposure with the infected patient in the community and two in the local community hospital where the patient works,” Molon said.

They are now identified as Patients No. 8 to 13, the health official said.

Five of them have mild symptoms and will be isolated at the local hospital, while the only senior patient at 72 years old will be confined at the Eastern Visayas Regional Medical Center here, the region’s referral hospital.

“Our faceless enemy is now here. I would like to put emphasis on the importance of staying home and observance of strict isolation if you have symptoms. Do not be complacent,” Molon said.

Since the global outbreak, a total of 13 Covid-19 cases have been confirmed in Eastern Visayas, two of whom have fully recovered, the DOH said.

Of the total cases in the region, nine are from Tarangnan; two from Burauen, Leyte; and one each from Catarman, Northern Samar; and Calbayog City, Samar. (PNA)