BY BENJAMIN MOSES M. EBREO
BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya (August 26)—Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) has already claimed three lives in this province since the outbreak in mid-March, health officials said.
“We now have three mortalities. The first was in Solano town and the latest two deaths came from Dupax del Norte and Bayombong towns,” Dr. Edwin Galapon, Provincial Covid-19 Task Force chief.
Galapon said the latest Covid-19 death was CV572 from Barangay (village) Don Mariano Marcos in Bayombong town with 36 active Covid-19 cases in the province as of August 26.
John Tugadi, Department of Health (DOH) provincial coordinator, said from March to August 26, the province has recorded 57 cases.
He said from these active cases, seven were asymptomatic, 11 mild status, two severe and one critical while 37 patients have recovered.
Governor Carlos Padilla said the spike of Covid-19 cases in the province is alarming and reiterated villages to make the first move and decide in their respective areas.
He said one of the recent proposals of the Provincial Covid-19 Task Force was to switch the current modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) mode of the province to modified enhance community quarantine (MECQ) through the National Covid-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).
“The submission of this proposal was held in abeyance pending consultation with the members of the Mayors League of the province. We shall be guided by an announcement to be made by President Duterte on the quarantine status of the province as well as of the whole region effective September 1,” Padilla said in a Facebook advisory.
He also assured Novo Vizcayanos that despite the sudden spike in cases, all concerned local government units (LGUs) have immediately implemented the necessary protocols to further minimize the spread of the virus.
“We also wish to reiterate that there are protocols issued by the National IATF with regards to zonal lockdowns and reclassification of quarantine status”, Padilla added.
The governor also said that Local Chief Executives like Municipal Mayors and the Governor may request for lockdowns and reclassification but these are subject to the concurrence of the Regional and National IATF.
For zonal or barangay lockdowns, municipal mayors still need the approval of the regional IATF and for reclassification of quarantine status, only the President, with the recommendations from the regional and national IATF, can place the province back to ECQ or MECQ, Padilla said.
“The war against Covid is not the burden of the government alone. Everyone is encouraged to do their part to minimize the spread of the virus by strictly adhering to the minimum health standards like the proper wearing of mask, physical distancing and proper sanitation. More than ever, self-discipline and honesty are needed from each and everyone,” he said.