Espino: Pangasinan Covid cases up after mass tests

By Liezle Basa Inigo

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan — Gov. Amado I. Espino III bared the increasing number of COVID -19-positive cases in Pangasinan after  mass testing.

The governor bared this in a meeting with Philippine National Police Pangasinan officials and provincial government department heads on Monday.

He said that based on Provincial Health Office (PHO) reports, all the positive COVID-19 cases were asymptomatic, or showing no symptoms common to COVID -19 patients.

They were found positive after undergoing targeted mass testing, he said.

Espino, noting the number of COVID-19 cases increased after they conducted the targeted mass testing, ordered immediate contact tracing.

He reminded Pangasinenses to remain careful because the COVID-19 fight is not yet over.

Based on the provincial government’s data, only ten of the 2,000 people who underwent targeted mass testing, or less than one percent, were found positive.

Pangasinan added on Monday night another COVID-19-positive case to its tally, raising the total to 70.
The Pangasinan provincial government posted on its official Facebook page that of the total 70 cases of COVID-19, 33 recovered, 28 confined with nine deaths.

Of those cases, 48 were in Pangasinan and 22 in Dagupan City.

The report said the latest COVID-19 patient was a driver from Barangay Ranao in Bani, who tested positive after an RT-PCR test.

Bani Mayor Gwen Palafox-Yamamoto said the patient is asymptomatic and now in an isolation center.

She also posted on her official Facebook page that a part of the barangay is under lockdown for a week.

“Sitio Mangga, Barangay Ranao will be temporarily closed from June 8 to 15. Bani will remain under general community quarantine. Public markets and other establishments are open,” the mayor said.

With the start of the rainy season, Espino said people also should take precautions against flu and dengue.