Cagayan Covid cases up; face masks mulled

By Liezle Basa Inigo

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan – Health authorities disclosed 22 active cases of Covid-19 spread in six towns of Cagayan, raising the possibility that the mandatory wearing of face masks, especially in indoor areas, might be enforced in the whole province.
    A report from the Cagayan Provincial Information Office indicated that Provincial Health Officer Dr. Carlos Cortina III and Gov. Manuel Mamba are actually considering the wearing of face masks in indoor areas.
    Currently, Cagayan is on Alert Level 1 status due to the increasing number of active cases.
    “Dapat huwag natin kalimutan ang minimum public health standard o ang pagsusuot ng facemask, social distancing, at paghugas ng kamay o gumamit ng alcohol, lalo na sa mga lugar na walang ventilation tulad ng mga sasakyan, department store, o mga closed area (We should not forget the minimum public health standard like wearing of face mask, social distancing, washing of hands or use of alcohol, more so inside public utility vehicles, department stores, and similar closed areas),” the PHO reminded.
    The latest data of the Provincial Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (PESU) on April 26 show that there are 22 active cases in Cagayan.
    Tuguegarao City recorded 12 cases, three in Gonzaga, two cases each in Lal-lo and Peñablanca, and one each in Aparri, Baggao, and Solana.