March 29, 2024

Seventeen new cases of the Covid-19 B117 variant were recorded in the Cordillera last week.

Department Health-Cordillera Asst. Director Amelita Pangilinan reported of the 17 additional B117 variant cases, nine were logged in Baguio City while four each were recorded in Benguet and Kalinga.

A total of 348 close contacts of the new B117 variant cases were traced.

The 17 additional cases reported on April 12 brought to 58 the total of the B117 variant cases in the region since the index case was reported in January.

Of the 58 B117 variant cases, 28 were from Mountain Province, 13 from Benguet, 11 from Baguio City, and six from Kalinga.

Pangilinan said there were four deaths reported of the 58 B117 variant  cases since January while 37 have already recovered and were integrated in the community.

She said the existence of Covid-19 variants can be one contributing factor in the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases in the region, but added the major reason remains the breach in minimum health protocols.

As of April 15, the Cordillera has logged 20,980 Covid-19 cases of which 383 died while 20,980 have recovered.

The region has 4,111 active cases of which 822 are asymptomatic; 2,922 are mild cases; 294 are moderate; five are severe; and one is critical.

Pangilinan said the status of the 67 other active cases are for verification.

She asked the public to continue observing minimum health protocols and do away with practices where health standards are difficult to observe. – Jane B. Cadalig