New Covid Cordi cases 3, 870; protocol breach hastening surge: DOH

By Liza Agoot 

BAGUIO CITY – The Dept. of Health Cordillera Administrative Region said the region continues to record a spike in Covid-19 cases due to breach in safety and health protocols.
    Dr. Amelita Pangilinan, DOH-CAR assistant regional director and the agency’s spokesperson, announced this in a press conference recently. “The spike in cases that we are experiencing is affected by the presence of the different variants but the primary cause of the surge in cases is because of the people’s breach in protocols and disregard of discipline,” she said.
    Based on the April 13 Covid-19 tracker of the Cordillera, 343 new Covid-19 cases were recorded that brought to 3,870 the total active cases in the region -- 99 in Abra, 95 in Apayao, 1,483 in Baguio City, 928 in Benguet, 579 in Ifugao, 324 in Kalinga, and 362 in Mountain Province.
    Of the 3,870 active cases, 776 are asymptomatic, 2,742 with mild symptoms, 279 moderate, 5 severe, 1 critical, and 67 are for verification.
    She said there were 21 municipal mayors, one city mayor and two governors in the Cordillera who have been infected with Covid-19 and already recovered. Among the deaths recorded was Kabayan Mayor Faustino Aquisan since the start of the pandemic in March 2020.
    “Marami kasi sa ating mga kababayan ang nag-aalis ng (face) mask o kaya hindi nagsusuot ng (face) mask, hindi nagsusuot ng face shield at nag-ga-gather. Ang masama hindi pa sila naka (face) mask, kaya kung merong may sakit, nagkakahawahan na (there are many who remove their face mask or do not use face mask. There are those who don’t wear face shield and worse, they attend a gathering without wearing face mask, that is why when there is one infected with the virus, others get infected too),” Pangilinan said.
    Pangilinan said she also noticed people in malls, at the market, in public utility jeepneys with their face masks on their chin or face shield converted as headbands.
    The doctor also mentioned that most of the clustering of cases was seen to have come from mass gatherings such as in wakes and family gatherings.
    “Hindi naman masama (It is not bad) that we observe our cultural practices but we should be aware to always follow and observe the health and safety protocols,” Pangilinan said.
    Pangilinan said there were also 61 recorded infected with Covid-19 variants --58 with B.1.1.7 and three cases of the P.3 variant.
    She said the region has submitted 879 specimens to the Philippine Genome Center, with 338 awaiting results.
    As of April 13, the doctor said there were 1,560 individuals who have been identified as first to third-generation contacts of those who were found to be infected with Covid-19 variants.
    She urged the public to always keep in mind the safety protocols as such is the only protection pending the vaccination.
    Pangilinan also asked the public to have themselves vaccinated. -- PNA