Pangasinan: 2 new Delta cases; mayor, councilor infected

By Eva Visperas and Hilda Austria

MALASIQUE, Pangasinan -- The mayor of Malasiqui here has tested positive for Covid-19.
In a post on Facebook, Mayor Noel Anthony Geslani said he and one of his children contracted the virus.
He said he is asymptomatic while his child developed symptoms.
    Geslani said the municipal building was closed for disinfection last week.
    Dagupan City Councilor Librada Reyna said she also contracted the virus and is confined in a hospital.
    This, as the Dept. of Health Center for Health and Development in Ilocos Region confirmed Pangasinan recorded two new Delta variant Covid-19 cases. 
    DOH-CHD-1 Covid-19 focal person Dr. Rheuel Bobis said one of the two new Delta variant cases is a returning overseas Filipino worker, while the profile of the other new case is still being confirmed.
    “We are still investigating if it is local or not. We are not yet sure,” he said in an interview. 
    Bobis said the new cases are from central Pangasinan but did not disclose their respective localities. 
    He added there are now 16 Delta variant Covid-19 cases in the entire Ilocos Region.
    Of the total cases, 13 are in Ilocos Norte while three are in Pangasinan, including the two new cases, he added.
    Bobis said the contact tracing in the Delta variant, as well as in other new variants of Covid-19, is up to the third generation of exposure to the confirmed positive case.
    The contact tracing covers those who were exposed to the direct close contacts of the confirmed Delta variant patient, he said.
    “If you think you have been exposed to a close contact of a Delta variant positive, we advise that you also isolate yourself and observe for signs and symptoms,” Bobis urged the public.
    He said the best way to combat the new variants is still the strict observance of minimum public health standards, such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and availing of the vaccination.

    Bobis said the province remained under alert level 3 as of 3 p.m. Tuesday amid the increased number of Delta variant cases. – With a PNA report