March 29, 2024

Covid-19 cases in Mountain Province has breached the 500 mark following the surge in cases after the Yuletide holidays.
As of January 20, the Provincial Health Office has recorded 533 total cases with 368 active cases, 163 recoveries and two deaths since the pandemic was declared in March 2019.
The province earlier logged 84 cases on Jan. 14, the highest cases in a day followed by 77 new cases on Jan. 20.
PHO reported the surge in cases was recorded since Jan. 13 with 201 confirmed total cases that rose to 311 on Jan. 15. The office also logged 371 total cases on Jan. 17 then 456 cases on Jan. 19.
Bontoc still has the highest total cases with 327, followed by Bauko with 59; Sabangan with 56; Besao with 25; Sadanga with 20; Sagada with 18; Paracelis with 14; Tadian with eight; Barlig with four; and Natonin with two cases.
PHO said the contributory causes in the surge of cases are drinking sprees, parties, wakes, and other small gatherings with family members, relatives, and friends. 
Bontoc Mayor Franklin Odsey on Jan. 15 announced he also contracted the virus but he remains asymptomatic. He is now in isolation while his office staff and family members underwent RT-PCR testing. 
Odsey has directed the Municipal Inter-Agency Task Force to conduct localized lockdowns and alternative work schedules for municipal employees.
He said they have coordinated with several government agencies to assist the Bontoc municipality procure Covid-19 vaccines, which will be availed for free by his constituents.
“While we await for the vaccines, let us not let our guard down. Complacency must not be in our vocabulary because the threat is real. This virus could infect anyone of us and our families,” Odsey said. – Ofelia C. Empian