Local government units in the Cordillera were urged anew to take urgent measures to stem the further spread of the Covid-19 infection, as the region has breached the 20,000-mark as of April 6.
Department of Health-Cordillera Assistant Director Amelita Pangilinan reiterated the need for LGUs to impose measures and for the public to abide by the minimum health protocols to help stop the surge in cases.
The DOH in particular pointed to the increased mobility of people, presence of the B117 variant, and wanton disregard of the minimum health protocols as among reasons for the surge in cases.
Pangilinan said there are 41 confirmed B117 cases in the region, of which 28 were recorded in Mountain Province, nine in Benguet, and two each in Baguio City and Kalinga.
“We are again asking the LGUs to exhibit urgency in preventing the surge and for the public’s full adherence to the minimum health protocols such as the proper wearing of face mask and shield,” she said.
The DOH has been desperately calling for the public’s cooperation in the fight against the Covid-19, as the daily recorded cases has been steadily on the rise with health workers and health facilities being overwhelmed anew.
From April 1 to 4, the Cordillera has been recording more than 400 cases daily, with the highest number of cases recorded on April 3 at 719 with seven deaths and 584 on April 4 with one death.
Cases went down to 217 on April 5, but with six deaths and 189 on April 6 with three deaths.
The Cordillera has logged 22,572 cases as of April 6 of which 3,843 are active and 310 deaths.
Pangilinan said health workers and the region’s health facilities are already overwhelmed because of the surge in cases.
In Baguio City, private hospitals – the Saint Louis Hospital of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame de Chartres, Baguio Medical Center, and Pines City Doctor’s Hospital – have announced their Covid-19 wards have reached their full capacity.
The Benguet General Hospital in La Trinidad also declared its Covid-19 ward was full. – Jane B. Cadalig
