DOH: Covid-19 cases down in Cordillera, recoveries up

By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY-- The Cordillera’s Covid-19 active cases are now going down while  recovery of patients is up in the region.
Department of Health Center for Health and Development - Cordillera Assistant Regional Director Amelita Pangilinan, in the Dagyaw 2020 Open Government Virtual Town Hall meeting Tuesday reported that as of their Nov. 22 data, Covid – 19 active cases in Cordillera are down to 431 or equivalent to 8.11 percent while recoveries are now 4,823 or around 91 percent of the 5,312 recorded confirmed cases in the region. 
    Pangilinan said peak in cases was recorded in Oct. 18 to 24 but going down the past two weeks.
    She said clustering of cases was noted in the mining sector, economic and health sectors and due to workplace to household infections and vice versa.
    Increase in cases was also attributed to lodging (cramping), gatherings, and mobility of people.  
    Another factor was the aggressive community testing facilitated by the NTF Covid– 19 in partnership with the Bases Conversion Development Authority, she added.
     DOH Cordillera data also showed case fatality rate in the region was 1.1% with 48 deaths recorded.
    Most were elderly (16 - 60 to 69 years old and 20 - 70 years old and above) with co-morbidities.
    Pangilinan said the health department was calling for public support in instilling discipline and strict adherence to minimum health requirements and safety protocols needed to protect themselves, their families and the community.
    All  of us need to have an active role and become BIDA  as in  “BIDA ang Solusyon”  which stands for Bawal ang walang face mask; I-sanitize ang mga kamay; Dumistantsya ng isang metro; at Alamin ang Tamang Impormasyon,  she  said.
     The 2020 Dagyaw virtual town hall meeting was the first of the series of four regional dialogues dubbed “Usapang Ekonomiya: Mga Pananaw sa Paglago ng Estado ng Ekonomiya ng Kordilyera sa Panahon ng Pandemya “. This event is led by the Department of Interior and Local Government.
     Aside from the Covid – 19 regional situationer, DILG also presented its “Displina Muna” campaign.
Resource speakers   were   Dept. of Agriculture   OIC regional director Cameron Odsey on the region’s agriculture sector, DOLE – CAR on Employment, Dept. of Trade and Industry OIC assistant regional director Juliet Lucas on the livelihood sector especially on micro, small and medium enterprises, Dept. of Tourism  regional director Jovita Ganongan on tourism updates, and  Land Transportation Office  regional director Francis Ray Almora  on public transport and mobility.
    DILG Cordillera assistant regional director Araceli San Jose, in closing the forum, expressed gratitude to resource speakers, reactors and   the public that actively participated in the Dagyaw as she outlined the importance of open and participatory governance especially in this time of pandemic.
     “The conduct of Dagyaw is crucial especially during this health crisis. It is important for us to connect with you and inform you of the different efforts that the government is doing to assist you in this time of need”, San Jose said. – PIA Cordillera