DOH – CAR reminds public to instil more discipline even under GCQ

May 24, 2020 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY, May 19 (PIA) – The Department of Health – Cordillera reminds the public that even as lesser restrictions are in effect under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ), people must not be complacent and should continue to instill more discipline in practicing health and safety precautions against the COVID pandemic.

DOH – Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) OIC Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, in an online media briefing today, said that with all provinces and cities in Cordillera now under GCQ, restrictions are down to minimum public health safety requirements and public health standards.

But as COVID remains to be on our midst and that there is still no prescribed cure and vaccine to combat the virus, the public must remain vigilant, continue to strengthen awareness and practice health and safety precautionary measures at home and when in public places.

“As we do it together, we heal as one”, Pangilinan said. On COVID – 19 update, Pangilinan reported that as of May 18, there are 46 confirmed cases in the region wherein 37 or 80.43 percent of the patients already recovered.

There was one death that translates to 2.2 percent case fatality rate. Active cases are down to eight with five from Benguet, two from Baguio City and one from Ifugao.

The provinces of Apayao, Kalinga and Mountain Province remain COVID – free or with no recorded confirmed cases, she added.

DOH – CAR data also showed that a total of 4,885 suspect cases have been recorded in the region where 345 are admitted in hospitals, 335 are in home/facility isolation and 4,206 already discharged.

There are also 2,322 possible cases that are being strictly monitored while completing their 14-day home quarantine.

On the expanded risk – based mass testing, Pangilinan assured that the Baguio General Hospital and Medical Center (BGHMC) as the sub – national COVID – 19 testing laboratory for Northern Luzon has been operating at its optimum.

It has already conducted over 10,300 laboratory testing including 3,541 test specimens from Cordillera Region.

For COVID – 19 case management, Pangilinan reported that there are 51 hospitals/health facilities all over the region that undergone testing.