Abra Records 3rd Covid 19 case

April 5, 2020 Provincial

Abra(April 2, 2020) – Abra province has recorded its third CoViD 19 case. Governor Ma. Jocelyn Bernos confirmed the third case, they tagged as AC3, is a 72 years old male and a resident of Naguillan, Sallapadan town.
The third Abra case is the father of the second CoVid 19 positive (AC2). AC3 is a high risk patient due to his age and believed to have a pre-existing medical condition.
AC1 who is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who is a resident of Manabo was discovered positive through his test results days after roaming around Bangued town during Abra’s “Kawayan Festival”.
He also went to Sallapadan where AC2 is residing together with his cousin. AC1 did not disclose his medical condition to barangay officials in his hometown Manabo being a person under investigation (PUI) recorded at the Ilocos Training and Medical Center in La Union.
The said patient was discharged the other day after fully recovering.
Meanwhile the 42-years old AC2 is still confined at a hospital outside Abra. According to the Abra Provincial government, the province has 26 PUIs and 300 persons under monitoring.
“Lockdown Extension”
Abra’s third case came as public health officials in the highland Cordillera are supporting the extension of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) for at least a month more.
With the continuing rise of COVID 19 positive patients, an extension of the lockdown will be beneficial in breaking the chain of infection, the Department of Health — Cordillera Administrative Region (DOH-CAR) and the Baguio City Health Services Office (BCSHO) both said.
“Tignan muna sana natin up to a month, mga up to May para dalawa sanang incubation period na macut-out ang transmission,” Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, director of the DOH-CAR said.
The number of cases is still peaking up, she acknowledged, as more and more people are tested with the arrival of more tests kits and the upgrade of the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center as a COVID-19 testing center from a sub-regional station.
City health officer Dr. Rowena Galpo said she also favors extending the ECQ, though it would be up to the top officials to evaluate what would be favorable for the city. “Nakikita ko lang na ang magiging implication nito kapag nagease-down sa lockdown ang Baguio City ay baka lalo namang mag-flock ulit ang mga tao dito and that we cannot control,” she said.
“Unlike now na medyo naobserbahan pa natin ang physical distancing, nakokontrol pa natin.
Ang takot ko lang is it might go out of control,” Dr. Galpo added.
While, the Metro Baguio multisectoral group “Tongtongan ti Umili” urged city officials to “ensure the provision of sufficient and appropriate economic relief” before extending the ECQ.
They are also calling for mass testing of health workers and frontline responders, PUIs and the most vulnerable sectors. ”While we are only seeing now the extent of the coronavirus pandemic and recognize the urgency to halt the transmission, we hope that before authorities enforce an extension of the lockdown, the economic and social needs of the people in the city be considered foremost,” Tongtongan secretary-general Jeoffrey Larua said.
According to Larua, majority of the city’s population cannot solely survive on meager doleouts and food aids in this quarantine situation. “We still call for immediate and sufficient government assistance and relief to the vulnerable sectors of our population, especially now that we are foreseeing an extension of the lockdown,” he said.
Artemio A. Dumlao/ABN