Observe Holy Week solemnly and safely; avoid non-essential travels

March 28, 2021 Metro BLISTT

BAGUIO CITY, March 26 (PIA) – The Department of Health – Cordillera appeals to the public to observe the Holy Week solemnly in their respective areas and avoid unnecessary travels as much as [possible to prevent the surge of COVID-19 cases.
“Let us make our Holy Week safe, solemn and meaningful,” DOH-CAR Assistant Regional Director Dr. Amelita Pangilinan said during the Kapihan sa Baguio forum on Thursday, March 25.
Pangilinan made the appeal amidst the continuing surge of COVID-19 cases in the different provinces in the Cordillera and other areas in the country.
Instead of the usual travels and vacation by families and relatives being done during the Holy Week, it is best that people stay at home with the family and avoid travels and mass gatherings as a way to help prevent COVID-19 transmission, she said.
With less movements of the public just like the Holy Week last year, there would also be lesser possibility of acquiring the COVID-19. Pangilinan cited the resolution of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) which prevents residents of the National Capital Region (NCR), the provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal, and Bulacan from going out of their respective provinces until April 4 as a way to prevent the further spread of the virus from the NCR and other areas.
She said that by observing a safe and solemn Holy Week, “we are ensuring that there would be prevention of the possible further transmission of the COVID-19 in the communities and other places.”
Pangilinan added that the public should still strictly adhere to the minimum public health standards as it is still the best defense against the COVID-19 such as wearing face masks and face shields, proper hygiene and washing of hands, social distancing and avoiding mass gatherings.
The DOH-CAR has been reporting continuing surge of cases in the different provinces in the region. On March 25, DOH recorded 358 new COVID-19 confirmed cases, among the highest recorded number of cases in the region in a day. Mountain Province recorded 171 cases, the highest recorded cases in a single day. Kalinga also recorded 66 new cases, Baguo City had 55, Benguet with 41, Apayao with 18 and Abra with six.
The region has now a total of 18,680 COVID-19 confirmed cases with 16, 127 recoveries, 2,284 active cases and 263 COVID-19 related deaths.
(JDP/RMC- PIA CAR)