THE VALLEY JOURNAL
CABARROGUIS, Quirino (August 12)—Gov. Dax Cua has confirmed the first coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) positive case making Batanes as the only province in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) with no recorded Covid-19 positive case yet.
Cagayan Valley comprises the provinces of Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Batanes and Quirino.
Cua said this is the first Covid-19 positive case since the outbreak of the virus in mid-March.
He said the patient is asymptomatic and in a stable health condition and will have to stay confined at the Southern Isabela Medical Center in Santiago City, Isabela for treatment.
“I am appealing to my fellow Quirinian not to panic. There is no cause for alarm, stay calm and follow safety and health protocols to avoid getting infected by the virus,” Cua said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DoH) in Region 2 (Cagayan Valley) has confirmed on Tuesday the highest number of Covid-positive cases in the region at 66 bringing the total number of recorded cases at 495.
Dr. Rio Magpantay, DOH-Region 2 director, said Cagayan Valley is now experiencing local transmission and the number of infections might increase especially when exposed to carriers who may be asymptomatic.
“We are appealing to local government units to continue their contact tracing as well as mandatory quarantine activities of those returning overseas Filipino and locally stranded individuals,” Magpantay said.
He also said the DOH-Region 2 office has to temporarily close due to their employees who were infected with the virus.
“We are conducting disinfection in all our buildings across DOH Cagayan Valley Center for Health Development and we are formulating steps in preventing the threat of the spread of the virus caused by Covid-19 inside our office,” Magpantay said.
He said they will open their office as soon as they have fully setup all other measures for the safety of their employees and clients. LCD