BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO
CAGAYAN VALLEY (June 1)—As Covid-19 cases continue to decline in the National Capital Region, infections and deaths rose in Baguio City and Cagayan Valley, greatly alarming local officials.
Baguio City recorded its highest case fatality rate (CFR) at 2.09 percent on May 20 with 247 deaths out of 11,814 cases.
City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit head Dr. Donnabel Panes said Baguio’s CFR is higher than the national rate of 1.69 percent. She said more than half of the fatalities were aged 50 and above and there were more males than females.
“These statistics put the 50 and above age group at higher risk of death so we would want them to get vaccines to prevent severity and decrease chances of dying,” Panes said.
“As to the men, we have to encourage them to take care of their health and to also get vaccinated when they get the chance.”
The highest number of deaths in Baguio was recorded in the month of April with 85.
Octa Research said last week the average number of daily Covid-19 cases in Metro Manila has dropped by at least 80 percent.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong meanwhile urged residents to seek medical attention at the first signs of Covid-19 infection. He said early medical intervention would prevent severe cases or even death. He also urged those in the priority groups to grab the chance to get vaccinated.
Like in Baguio City, hospital administrators in Cagayan province believe the increase in Covid-19 deaths in Region 2 is due to lack of hospital care.
The Department of Health in Region 2 recorded 103 mortalities in May 2021. Some of the patients did not even make it to the hospital.
The provincial government also confirmed all major hospitals particularly in Tuguegarao City have been operating in full capacity since February this year and there is a long queue for patients wanting to be admitted into Covid-19 dedicated wards in hospitals.
It said that the Covid ward of the Cagayan Valley Medical Center (CVMC) is full.
Gov. Manuel Mamba said patients are lining up in five hospitals in Tuguegarao, particularly those who are confirmed positive for Covid-19.
As of Monday, CVMC has a waiting list of 72 patients, 33 at the Divine Mercy Wellness Center, 29 at Ronald P. Guzman Medical Center, 24 at St. Paul Hospital while 18 at Cagayan United Doctors Medical Center.
In a related news, Mamba asked the mayor of Baggao town to explain the social media posts showing people, including the mayor herself, dancing in what seemed to be a party celebration even though the entire province of Cagayan is still in modified enhanced community quarantine.
“I am giving Mayor Joan Dunuan 48 hours to explain the incident,” said Mamba, referring to a video that went viral on social media.
Baggao town has the second-highest number of Covid-19 cases in Cagayan province with 212 active cases as of May 30.
On Monday, Dunuan confirmed she is positive for Covid-19 but denied violating health and safety protocols. She said the videos and images showing her dancing and not wearing a mask while partying were taken more than a year ago.
Dunuan said she publicized her condition to urge her constituents to strictly follow health protocols. She said she is asymptomatic with no fever, colds or muscle pains.
Dunuan said she has already quarantined herself at home.
“This is a political mudslinging of my opponents to tarnish my name,” she said.
Also on Monday, the Baggao local government locked down its municipal town hall and its two sub-offices for 10 days because 27 of its employees tested positive for Covid-19.
Baggao also closed the town’s public market’s wet section until June 9 and suspended the local government’s procurement processes like bidding conferences and meetings, according to the Baggao information office.