National COVID-19 death toll climbs to 54
A severe COVID-19 patient receives special treatment from medical workers |
The patient had an extensive history of toxic hepatitis, and symptoms of fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, abdominal bloating, and jaundice just one week before being admitted to the hospital.
The patient was initially transferred to the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases No.2 on May 4 where he was tested for COVID-19, with his result coming back negative for the virus. However, after having samples taken for a second time on May 9, he was later found to be infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Throughout his treatment he frequently suffered from a shortness of breath and respiratory failure, to the point where he had to rely on mechanical ventilation before undergoing endotracheal intubation on May 26.
Despite the best efforts of the doctors, he eventually passed away on June 7 due to hemorrhagic shock, gastrointestinal bleeding, septic shock, cirrhosis, and pneumonia caused by COVID-19.
The latest death marks the 19th COVID-19 fatality during the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak and the 54th since the pandemic hit the country early last year.