CagVal 15 towns still Covid-free

CHECKPOINT – Police check vehicles at a checkpoint in Cagayan Valley after Region 2 Health director Rio L. Magpantay urged stiffer measures to ensure no virus carrier can enter municipalities.

By Oliver T. Baccay

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan -- Fifteen towns in Cagayan Valley region have maintained their status as Covid-19-free in almost eight months of guarding their communities from infection.
    These towns include Sta. Praxedes and Sta. Teresita in Cagayan; Ivana, Itbayat, Mahatao, and Uyugan in Batanes; Maconacon, Palanan, Divilacan, Dinapigue and Burgos in Isabela; Ambaguio and Kayapa in Nueva Vizcaya; and Saguday and Nagtipunan in Quirino province.
    Though the Dept. of Health Region 2 expressed appreciation to these LGUs that are still Covid-free, Regional Director Rio L. Magpantay advised them not to be complacent and enforce stiffer measures to ensure no virus carrier can enter their municipalities. 
    "To all our officials, even in areas without Covid-19, let us always practice the minimum health standards that we have been advocating as means to eliminate contagion of Covid-19," Magpantay said.
    On the other hand, Solano, Nueva Vizcaya remains on top of list with highest Covid-19 cases with 267, followed by     Tuguegarao City, Cagayan with 223; City of Ilagan, Isabela with 147; and Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya with 106, as of Oct. 5.
    In the latest bulletin of DOH 2, Solano and Tuguegarao City remain  the areas with community transmission in the region, while the towns and cities with local transmission include Enrile, Cagayan; Alicia, Gamu, San Manuel, Santiago City, Cauayan City and City of  Ilagan  all in Isabela; and the towns of Aritao, Bagabag and Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya. 
    There are also three workplaces with local transmission to include the Adventist Hospital in Santiago City, Region 2 Trauma and Medical Center in Nueva Vizcaya and the Tuguegarao City Police Station.  
    Lately, cases in Nueva Vizcaya is slowly decelerating while cases in Tuguegarao City and City of Ilagan are increasing. -- MDCT/OTB/PIA-Cagayan