Mass tests: 77 positive for Covid-19 in Tabuk

By Larry T. Lopez

CITY OF TABUK, Kalinga – Expanded mass testing for Covid-10 here showed 1,727 swabbed, 77 positive and 1,650 negative.
More than 5,000 target residents in 10 Covid-19 high risk barangays of Tabuk were covered under the 5-day ACT from Feb. 18-22.
    ACT is ongoing in two barangays in this city after initial results  of  the Covid-19 last week showed high positivity rates.
    The Regional Task Force on Covid-19 recommended ACT at Barangays Malin-awa and Balawag which has 33 percent and 11% positivity rate respectively despite low test turn out in the ACT conducted on Feb. 18.
    Thirty three percent or 30 out of the 91 swab samples taken in Barangay Malin-awa tested positive while 11% or 15 out of the 134 swab samples from Barangay Balawag yielded positive for Covid-19.
    The rates would have even been higher had more target individuals in the two barangays were tested, health report said.
    Mayor Darwin C. Estranero earlier issued executive order 11, aeries of 2021, placing the two barangays on 2-week lockdown starting February 20 to March 5 for expanded ACT.
    Because of high risk rates, the Estanero made all barangay officials and residents in the two barangays take RT-PCR test.
    Under the lockdown order, all residents shall observe strict home quarantine with movement limited only to accessing essential and medical needs.
    Non-essential business establishments shall be closed and curfew is imposed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.
    Public transportation is not allowed and mass gatherings shall be restricted.
    Checkpoints are established at exit and entry points to monitor and regulate public movement.
    The Regional Task Force on CoVID-19 headed by Office of Civil Defense –Cordillera regional director Albert Mogol facilitated the ACT by the National Task Force on Covid-19 and Bases Conversion and Development Authority in Kalinga particularly in Tabuk City, Lubuagan and Pasil. -- PIA Kalinga