Covid outbreak hits 98 cops in Baguio training center

Cordillera; 38,289 cases, 704 deaths 

By Aileen P. Refuerzo

BAGUIO CITY --- An outbreak of Covid-19 has hit the Cordillera Philippine National Police Training Center in the city with 98 personnel falling ill as of June 25.
    This, as Cordillera recorded a total of 38,289 Covid-19 confirmed cases as of June 16, according to health authorities.
    Mayor Benjamin Magalong in a press briefing said the number of cases is expected to increase in Baguio as testing and contact tracing continue.
    He said the 98 are part of the 197 regular officers from various regions participating in leadership training. 
    Majority of them came from the Cordillera.
    The mayor said most of the patients had mild symptoms and necessary measures had been undertaken to implement medical intervention, isolation, quarantine of close contacts, disinfection and other measures to contain the spread of the infection.
    The mayor said some lapses in protocols were noted in the place notably the lack of proper ventilation and physical distancing.
    All activities had been suspended in the facility now placed under total lockdown for 14 days.
    In October last year, a similar outbreak occurred at another training center in the city affecting more than 200 new police recruits.    
    In Cordillera a press time, 36,255 patients recovered   while there were still 1,322 active cases with 704   Covid-19 related deaths.
    Of the 1,322 active cases in the region, 40 were from Abra, 96 from Apayao, 595 from Baguio City, 344 from Benguet, 120 from Ifugao, 68 from Kalinga, and 59 from Mountain Province.
    A total of 652 were asymptomatic, 585 with mild symptoms, 73 moderate and 12 in critical status.
    President Rodrigo Roa Duterte announced recently effective June 16 to 30, Apayao and Ifugao in Cordillera were among those placed under stricter MECQ while Abra, Benguet, Kalinga, Mountain Province and the City of Baguio are under general community quarantine.  
    As of June 14, Apayao recorded a total of 1,419 Covid-19 confirmed cases with 1,301 recovered, 109 active and nine Covid- related deaths.
    The June 10 report of the Apayao Provincial Health Office said the province was on high epidemic risk based on two-week growth rate and average attack rate.
    The municipalities of Conner, Kabugao and Sta Marcela are on high epidemic risk level while Calanasan, Luna and Pudtol are on moderate epidemic risk level.
    Only Flora is on a low epidemic risk level.
    For Ifugao as of June 14, there were 4,333 Covid-19 confirmed cases with 4,067 recoveries, 218 active cases and 48 Covid-19 related deaths.
    Benguet which was under MECQ for one month is now under GCQ.  – With a PIA report