Covid hits 2 cops; Apayao PNP camp locked; Luna closed

APAYAO police director Col. Byron Tegui-in -- RMC- PIA-CAR

By Redjie Melvic M. Cawis

LUNA, Apayao – Borders to this town were closed while the Apayao Provincial Police Office was placed on lockdown following confirmation of two police officers infected with Covid-19 in the camp.

“We wish to inform the public that the municipality of Luna recorded its third and fourth Covid-19 positive patients on August 3. They are frontliners stationed at the Apayao PPO in Luna, Apayao,” Mayor Josephine Bangsil said Monday 

Bangsil immediately ordered temporary lockdown of the Apayao PPO in Camp Allan in Barangay San Francisco until further notice for contact tracing of all the personnel who came into contact with the two.

This will also give time for disinfection and sanitation of premises of police headquarters.

The public particularly those who have pending transactions or appointments with at the provincial headquarters were advised to voluntarily cease from going to the Apayao PPO.

Apayao PPO director Col. Byron Tegui-in said the new cases were a 28 year old and 33 year old male cops assigned at Apayao PPO.

They were admitted at the Far North Luzon General Hospital in Luna town.

Both had travel history to San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte while one had travel history to Tuguegarao City in Cagayan.

Tegui-in directed police personnel assigned at the provincial headquarters particularly those who had close contacts with the new patients to stay at the camp while contact tracing is being conducted and swab test results are still pending. Police officers and other individuals who had close contact with the patients are also encouraged to come forward and coordinate with the rural health unit.

Tegui-in said three police officers of the Apayao PPO contracted the virus.

The provincial government of Apayao also ordered that borders of Luna to be placed under temporary lockdown until such time that contact tracing activities are completed.

Strict monitoring of passages in and out of the municipality is mandated.

As of August 3, the province of Apayao had 19 COVID-19 positive cases with 13 recoveries and six active cases. -- JDP/RMC- PIA CAR